Thanksgiving may look different for many families in Cortland County this year, with restrictions on gatherings and between state travel preventing many of us from celebrating lifelong family traditions. This break in tradition can be upsetting and frustrating. Or maybe it offers your family some relief from the stress of travel, hosting, or negative family dynamics.
Whatever the case may be, why not go all in and embrace the fact that this year’s Thanksgiving will not be normal. With traditions out the door this year, it’s a great time to include your teen in planning or cooking Thanksgiving dinner! Giving your teen a meaningful job like searching for new recipes, shopping, or cooking themselves can make the holiday more fun for them and strengthen your family bond.
Looking for inspiration? Here are some unique Thanksgiving recipes from Cortland Area Communities That Care (CACTC) staff that might interest your teen!
#1: Tofurkey Roast
Looking to totally change it up? Our graphic designer, Claudia, recommends substituting turkey with a Tofurkey Roast this year! According to Claudia; “they are delicious!” Tofurkey Roasts are a seasonal item that can be found at most supermarkets in our area including: Price Chopper, The Local Food Market, Wegmans, and Target.
Ingredients: Tofurkey Roast, olive oil, soy sauce
The recipe is usually included right on the box!
Directions:
- Thaw roast in refrigerator for 24 hours
- Remove plastic casing and clips from the roast.
- Place on a pan in foil.
- Pour half the baste over the roast (Claudia recommends soy sauce and olive oil for the baste).
- Cover and cook at 350°F for 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Uncover and pour remaining baste over roast.
- Cook uncovered for 10 more minutes.
- Carve your Roast with a serrated bread knife.
Original recipe and Tofurkey Roast Locator: https://tofurky.com/what-we-make/roasts/feast/#flavormenu
#2: Fresh Cranberry Relish
Many people I know cringe at the thought of canned cranberry sauce. Sara, a Project Director here at CACTC, shared this fresh take on cranberry sauce that her family makes every year. You will need an old-fashioned grinder or food processer for this one!
Ingredients: 2 cups raw cranberries, 2 tart green apples peeled, cored and cut into thick slices, 1 whole seedless orange (with peel on) cut into wedges, 1 to 2 cups sugar (to taste)
Directions:
- Alternate pushing different fruit through grinder. If you don’t have an old-fashioned grinder then pulse fruit in food processer.
- Stir in sugar (start with less than a cup and add ¼ cups until you reach your desired sweetness).
- Let sit at room temperature for sugar to dissolve (approximately 45 minutes).
- Store in refrigerator until dinnertime.
#3: Orange Carrot Jell-O
Finally, a classic around my family’s Thanksgiving table—Orange Carrot Jell-O. It has quite an unnatural look to it but really doesn’t taste that bad!
Ingredients: Two packages of orange flavored Jello-O, 2 Tbsp. vinegar, 1 grated carrot, whipped cream (optional).
Directions:
- Make Jell-O according to package instructions.
- Stir in 2 Tbsp. of vinegar.
- Put in fridge to cool.
- Halfway through cooling add grated carrots.
- Let Jell-O finish cooling.
- Add whip cream if desired.
