Thanksgiving Day |29 November 2019
Photo source: howstuffworks
A time to give thanks
- ‘Seychellois can celebrate Thanksgiving in their own way; give thanks for what they have, the people in their lives, accomplishments…’
Thanksgiving Day was observed yesterday, November 28; this is a national holiday celebrated in the United States (U.S.) every year.
While it is not customary for this day to be observed by our local population, it is still felt by some that Seychellois can and should celebrate this day in their own way, to give thanks for everyone and everything in their lives.
Seychelles NATION contacted a Seychellois, Michelle Morel-Crabill, who has been living in the U.S. for many years, to learn more about this day and her views on how it can be integrated into our local culture.
Ms Morel-Crabill moved to the U.S. from Seychelles in 1999, when she was 18. She married at the age of 19 and today, following a divorce, she is still raising her two daughters. She works as a case manager for young children and young adults with physical and mental disability.
Seychelles NATION: What is Thanksgiving all about?
Michelle Morel-Crabill: It is celebrated the 4th Thursday in November. It originated with the pilgrims in 1621 after their first harvest; they celebrated for three days and shared their meals with the Native Americans, and the tradition kept on.
Now on Thanksgiving Day, you will find women in the kitchen making the ‘traditional’ dinner which is turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, always a green bean casserole, rolls and pumpkin pie to go with it.
The guys will be in the living room watching Thanksgiving Day football (always a good game on) or talking politics.
Thanksgiving is the one holiday in the states where people travel the most to be with family. We get so busy with our everyday lives and Thanksgiving is that time where everything slows down just a little for family and friends to get together and be thankful for one another.
Seychelles NATION: You mentioned that the Thanksgiving tradition is fading in the U.S.; tell us more about this.
Michelle Morel-Crabill: Life in the U.S is fast paced; home-cooked meals seem like a thing of the past. It’s so much easier and convenient to hit fast food joints and pick dinner up for the kids than it is to go home and cook. I'm guilty of it too. It seems all we do is work and sleep and there is no in between.
I see this happening in Seychelles as well. More people are eating out. When I lived in Seychelles, eating out was like a luxury, maybe once a year, and we looked forward to it. Now it's the norm.
I always had this mind-set that only Americans celebrated Thanksgiving so I never really associated myself with the holiday. My husband at the time would prepare all the meals and I would always make a Creole dish to go with it.
Thanksgiving is now taking a back seat to ‘Black Friday’ shopping. Stores used to open at 4am on Friday but now all stores are open around 5pm on Thanksgiving Day. Sadly, we are losing the Thanksgiving tradition. Families are either having dinner the day prior or have an early dinner so they can hit all the sales.
Seychelles NATION: How do you normally celebrate Thanksgiving Day?
Michelle Morel-Crabill: Ever since my divorce I’ve made it a point to celebrate Thanksgiving with the girls. I just bought a house this past summer so this year Thanksgiving will be extra special for us. We get up early enough to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade on television which is a tradition for most Americans; it is held in New York City every year. Once at the dinner table, we take turns giving thanks; this year I'm thankful for being able to buy a home for me and my girls.
This year I'm making turkey. Most Americans will put the stuffing inside the turkey but I cook it separately. Instead, I add a little twist to mine. I stuff my turkey with fresh herbs, slices of oranges and lime. I will also be making green beans with bacon, mashed potato stuffing, corn soufflé and rolls. My pumpkin pie will be bought from the store as I'm not a baker (laughs).
Of course I will make some chicken curry and rice; it's funny because the kids will most likely eat the Creole food instead.
Seychelles NATION: Do you think Seychellois should also celebrate Thanksgiving Day?
Michelle Morel-Crabill: Seychellois now celebrate St Patrick's Day and Halloween which was unheard of in my time. I feel like Seychellois can celebrate Thanksgiving in their own way; give thanks for what they have, the people in their lives, accomplishments and so forth. ‘Fer en bon roti poul’ (make a roast chicken) instead of Turkey; ‘sa ti a pli bon’ (that would be better).
Thanksgiving reminds me a lot of Christmas in Seychelles. It's when all the families come together no matter their differences and share a meal, drinks, conversation and even laughter.
Below is a recipe for stuffed mushroom which Ms Morel-Crabill says she makes every year for Thanksgiving. “It’s a hit even for my picky kids. It’s easy to make and they munch on it until dinner is ready”.
Stuffed Mushroom
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Remove stems from mushroom, chop finely and set aside. Place mushroom caps in a shallow bowl, toss with 3 tablespoons olive oil and marsala, set aside.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add sausage, crumbling it with the back of a wooden spoon. Cook the sausage for 8 – 10 minutes until completely browned. Add chopped mushroom stems and cook for 3 more minutes. Stir in scallions and garlic and cook for another 2 – 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add panko crumbs, stirring to combine evenly with all the other ingredients. Finally, swirl in mascarpone cheese and continue cooking until this has melted and made the sausage mixture creamy. Off the heat, stir in Parmesan cheese, parsley, season with salt and pepper to taste, cool slightly.
- Fill each mushroom cap generously with the sausage mixture. Arrange the mushrooms in a baking dish large enough to hold all the mushrooms in a snug single layer. Bake for 50 minutes until the stuffing is browned and crusty.
F.P.