Look! Annual Early Thanksgiving Dinner

Every year, our friends Joe and Kristin have an annual *early* Thanksgiving dinner for friends, exactly one week before the official holiday. Last Thursday night we gathered at their condo (they just moved in) for a potluck including some traditional items and some surprises: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, cheese puff pastries, enchilada casserole, green bean casserole, cranberry cheesecake, wine...and simple, beautiful centerpieces made with green apples and cranberries.

A pink pot that's been in Kristin's family for years, filled with amazing roasted vegetables

The best cheese puff pastries I've ever had; must get recipe soon.

Not one but two casseroles: enchilada and a great version of the green bean casserole

We're wondering what other non-traditional Thanksgiving traditions are out there - whether they fall on the actual day or a different day. What traditions have you started or kept going among your family and friends?

Comments (8)

nice party, but why did the centerpieces need to be soaking in water? without flowers, the apples/cranberries would be fine on their own!

posted by edgertor on November 26th 2008 at 5:13pm
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The cran-apple centerpieces are nice! I wasn't sure about the water in them at first... but I actually like it. It's a nice touch, and almost finishes off the pieces. Without the water, I feel that they would look unfinished.

posted by Geno B. on November 26th 2008 at 6:29pm
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Heather, you say "The best cheese puff pastries I've ever had; must get recipe soon."

May I suggest you get AND SHARE the recipe soon?

posted by jeffzelli on November 26th 2008 at 7:27pm
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jeffzelli: absolutely. once i get, i will share...over at the Kitchn. i'll write something here too, so you'll know where to look.

posted by heather on November 26th 2008 at 7:47pm
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I like the centerpieces - cute!

My Thanksgiving holiday tradition is to spend it with my friend's family... I was invited as a Thanksgiving orphan one year (my own family is far away) and since then, every year I've ended up spending it with her, so now Thanksgiving with my friend and her family is my Thanksgiving tradition.

posted by SanDiegoAT on November 27th 2008 at 2:06am
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agree about the water with the fruit centerpieces.
though club soda might give it a sparkling touch if one felt compelled to add water.

posted by darlingcaro on November 28th 2008 at 12:54pm
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Wow. It's a little late now, but I just learned this was posted.

Here is the recipe for the cheese rounds. I got it from a set of circa 1980s recipe cards that I bought at a silent auction.

Cheese Rounds

1 c. butter
4 c. (1 lb.) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. cayenne

Cream butter with mixer or food processor using steel blade. Blend in cheese, flour, and cayenne.

Chill about 1 hour. Shape into 1 inch balls.

Roll balls in sesame and/or poppy seeds. Place on ungreased baking sheet 1.5 inches apart. Chill for at least one hour.

Bake at 400 degrees about 10 min. Do not brown. The rounds will not be dry when done.