As we prepare to gather with family and friends in celebration of Thanksgiving, we’d like to share “The Immigrant Origins of Thanksgiving” written by Leya Speasmaker and Paola Flores-Marquez which highlights some of the ways immigrants have contributed to our Thanksgiving traditions:
Turkey
Migrant workers employed in poultry plants put in eight-to-10-hour days, almost seven days a week to make sure this hearty bird makes its way to your table.
Stuffing
Europeans have been eating stuffing since the Roman Empire, which explains why we have a variety of recipes! German American recipes favor dried fruit, while Italian American recipes suggest adding sausage.
Cranberry sauce
Native Americans introduced English immigrants to smashed cranberries, a term which is actually derived from the German kranberee— showing us that language and food migrate as much as people!
Mashed potatoes
The first recipe for mashed potatoes was published in the United Kingdom in 1747. The book was so popular, even the founding fathers had a copy!
Green bean casserole
Did you know that 73% of all farmworkers were born outside the United States?
Sweet potato casserole
North Carolina is the largest supplier of this root native to Central and South America. Despite increased demand, migrant farmworkers only paid one penny per pound of sweet potatoes picked.
Bread
Do you know who owns your local bakery? Nearly 6 million workers in the United States are employed at immigrant-owned businesses, large and small.
Pumpkin pie
It was the United States’ first immigrants who decided to combine this indigenous fruit (yes, pumpkin is a fruit) with a quintessential English invention: pie.
Pecan pie
French immigrants were fascinated by the hard-shelled nuts introduced to them by Native Americans, eventually adding corn syrup, eggs and vanilla to create the “New Orleans Pie.”
Apple pie
The apples we enjoy aren’t indigenous to the United States. Cuttings were brought by immigrants. Now we make them into the most classic of American foods based on English and Dutch recipes—apple pie!
Apple cider
Cider was brought to the United States by the English, but it actually originated in medieval France.
We are thankful for the inspiration, support, warmth, and strength we receive from our immigrant community. Wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving!