What’s Thanksgiving like around the world? Take a look at celebrations in these places
Thanksgiving is here! Families across the U.S. are preparing for the traditional American Thanksgiving feast of turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. But this is just one way to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Whether you’re looking for last-minute menu inspiration or curious about other cultural traditions, here’s a glimpse into Thanksgiving celebrations – and their foods – from around the world.
Thanksgiving in Puerto Rico
After Puerto Rico became a U.S. territory in 1898, many Puerto Ricans adopted American holidays, adding their own unique flavors and traditions, The Foreign Fork reported. Thanksgiving on the island, celebrated the same day as the rest of the U.S., marks the start of the holiday season.
A Puerto Rican Thanksgiving feast typically includes pavochon turkey, a turkey marinated in a seasoning mixture of garlic, orange juice, cumin, oregano and thyme, Foreign Fork reported. Another staple dish is mofongo, green plantains fried and mashed, then mixed with garlic and pork crackling, served in a ball or disk with stew, A Soothing Food explained.
Thanksgiving in Canada
Canadian Thanksgiving shares many similarities with American Thanksgiving with its family meal and annual football classic, History.com reported. Canada’s celebration takes place the second Monday in October and dates back to 1578, over 40 years before the first Thanksgiving in the U.S. However, indigenous people in Canada celebrated the harvest long before this official first Thanksgiving.
Canadian Thanksgiving feasts usually include cakes or doughnuts for dessert, according to Martha Stewart. Pumpkin pies tend to be spicier in Canada, with added ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves. Sweet potatoes, another staple dish, are usually baked or whipped with buttermilk and dijon mustard — not sweetened with marshmallows.
Thanksgiving in Liberia
The West African country of Liberia was created as a U.S. colony for formerly enslaved people of color, The New York Times reported. The country declared independence from the U.S. in 1847 but some American cultural traditions — like Thanksgiving — linger. Liberia is the only country in Africa with an official Thanksgiving celebration, Travel Noire reported.
Liberian Thanksgiving is celebrated on the first Thursday of November, according to History.com. For many Liberians, Thanksgiving is a “complicated” holiday, The New York Times reported. For some, the holiday is a religious celebration and day for gratitude, NPR reported. For others, the holiday is a legacy of a colonial era.
For those who celebrate with a big meal, Liberian Thanksgiving feasts have strong West African cultural influence, The New York Times reported. Liberian jollof rice with multiple meats, such as prawn, chicken and pork, is a staple food, NPR reported. Mashed cassava, a root also known as yucca, is another common dish, according to Travel Noire.
Thanksgiving in South Korea: Chuseok
Korean Thanksgiving or Chuseok (pronounced “choo-suhk”) is one of South Korea’s largest holidays, according to a website for the holiday. The mid-autumn harvest festival celebrated in late September is focused on family, friends and food.
So many Koreans return to their family homes that Chuseok causes some of the year’s worst traffic jams in Seoul, the capital city, Asia Society reported. Families gather to remember their ancestors through rituals and to feast.
Korean Thanksgiving feasts must include songpyeon, a traditional Korean rice cake that can be filled with sesame seeds, red beans, chestnuts or brown sugar, the holiday website says. Japchae, a stir-fried noodle dish with vegetables, and jeon, a traditional savory Korean pancake made of eggs, flour and scallions, are also common dishes.
Thanksgiving in Germany: Erntedankfest
Germany’s Erntedankfest, which means “harvest festival of thanks,” has no official date but usually takes place the first Sunday of October, History.com reported. The religious holiday is mainly celebrated among rural communities and church-going communities, The German Way reported.
German Thanksgiving centers around a church service with a special parade and country fair-like atmosphere, The German Way reported. Traditional foods vary based on the recent harvest of the local community, German Foods said.
