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Italian Wines for Thanksgiving & Acceptance

By November 12, 2024February 2nd, 2025No Comments
thanksgiving table

Embracing Acceptance: The Heart of Thanksgiving

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, the air is filled with the warmth of family gatherings, the aroma of home-cooked meals, and the anticipation of a holiday break. I reflect on Thanksgivings past and am thankful for my life today — loved ones near and far, health, home, fresh food, delicious wine…

acceptance

“Italian Wines for Thanksgiving & Acceptance” is a strange title for a blog. Acceptance is where I live in 2024; to be continued in 2025. My grandparents who immigrated from Sicily and Campania were very proud to be accepted as American citizens. They accepted the opportunity that the USA offered them; the American Dream. They worked incredibly hard to build a life for themselves and a future for their children. They embraced Thanksgiving and created Italian-American Thanksgiving traditions. They combined Italian roots with their adopted country’s holiday.

relatives around the thanksgiving table

The feast included antipasti of cheese and bread (Italian) and chips and nuts (American), a first course of chicken soup with small meatballs (Italian), a main course of turkey stuffed with egg, sausage and pepper stuffing (Italian). We would fight to scrape the mixture out of the sauté pan. There were loads of side dishes like roast potatoes, squash, stuffed mushrooms and cranberry sauce. Desserts included apple pie, chocolate cream pie and Ma’s pumpkin roll. The adults enjoyed wine, always red and honest. A wine that accompanied every course.

thanksgiving toast

2024: A Thanksgiving of Acceptance

In a world that feels divided and stressful, I am using Thanksgiving as a reminder to simply be; to acknowledge, accept and appreciate life as it is, with all its imperfections, and find joy in the present moment. It’s time to celebrate Thanksgiving in Rome, my adopted home, with an Italian-American Thanksgiving, lots of food and wine… If you’re looking for some inspiration here is what we’ll be eating and drinking:

  • Antipasto: tagliere (cheese and meat board with nuts, fruit, and honey) paired with Prosecco Brut from the Conegliano-Valdobbiadene area. If you like, you can enjoy Prosecco for the entire meal. For red wine drinkers Barbera will be served.
  • Main course: Turkey with sausage, pepper and egg stuffing; cranberry sauce on the side. Nebbiolo will be the red wine of choice for us. It pairs well with sweet potatoes, savory stuffing and juicy cranberry sauce. It is a great partner to a carved turkey, the star of the day. White wine lovers don’t fret, we will have Pinot Grigio. It stands up to dishes laden with garlic, onions and herbs, and rich, flavorful, fatty dishes like garlic-mashed potatoes and turkey and to side dishes that may use clove, nutmeg and other more-exotic spices.
  • Side dishes: sweet potato casserole, string beans, and roast potatoes. Nebbiolo it is.
  • Dessert: pumpkin pie, pumpkin roll, and apple pie. For pumpkin pie and our pumpkin roll, we may leave Italy and opt for a Tawny port. While for the apple pie, a dry Marsala and a white/orange vermouth from Sicily will be her partner.
pumpkin pie for thanksgiving

I hope that you’ll take the time eat, drink, be merry – and celebrate the power of acceptance with me. Salute!

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