Planning for a Pandemic Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time for being grateful for all of the good in our lives, and a time for sharing the good with others. While we would love to gather with our friends and family, this year we will be forgoing large family gatherings and travel, and will be staying at home with our household family for Thanksgiving dinner. There is still so much to be grateful for, and even though this is not going to be the traditional Thanksgiving, we all can make the day as special as we can.

Let’s think of how to make a lovely day and celebrate that spirit of Thanksgiving in different, creative ways.

We can share a virtual Thanksgiving with those friends and relatives not in our household. We can cook together, each in our own kitchens, and enjoy each other’s company thanks to modern technology.

For our local friends and family from different households, we can share portions of our favorite Thanksgiving dishes for cross-town Thanksgiving delivery.

For some of our close friends and family who live further away, we'll be sending some of our new food gift boxes, filled with some of our favorite pantry items. Sure to bring a smile!

Here is a family favorite recipe idea for a Butternut Squash and Pecan Casserole that would be very easy to portion and transport.

Butternut Squash and Pecan Casserole Recipe

1. Wash and cut a butternut squash in half length-wise.
2. Bake face-down in a casserole dish at 375 degrees until tender.
3. Scoop out the squash and mash using a hand-mixer or food mill.
4. Mix in milk and butter as needed, season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of cardamom.
5. Spoon into a buttered oven-proof container, poke pecan halves here and there into the squash.
6. Bake in a medium oven until piping hot.

How will you be spending Thanksgiving?  What are your favorite Thanksgiving recipes?  Feel free to share in the comments below.