Trying to understand Thanksgiving food as a kiwi
Thanksgiving in America just happened. If your TikTok For You page has been anything like mine, it’s probably been full of dishes that either look delicious or make you question why anyone would put marshmallows on a supposedly savoury meal.
The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in the autumn of 1621, when the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag people shared a three-day feast to celebrate a successful harvest. It became an official national day of thanks in 1863, when Abraham Lincoln declared it during the Civil War. Today, it’s a huge holiday marked by family gatherings, big meals, and, of course, plenty of TikTok content.
The dish I’ve seen most on my feed is green bean casserole. It is a side dish made with green beans, creamy mushroom soup, and fried onions on top. Usually, the beans are fresh or canned and mixed with condensed cream-of-mushroom soup, then topped with the onions and baked until bubbling.
Then there’s sweet potato casserole, which really had me questioning reality. Cooked sweet potatoes are mashed with sugar and butter, topped with mini marshmallows, and baked until the marshmallows are toasted. Marshmallows on potatoes? Apparently, it pairs beautifully with turkey.
Cranberry sauce is another odd one for Kiwi eyes. Many Americans prefer the canned version, which holds its shape like a firm jelly. Tart and sweet, it adds a bright pop of colour to the plate and contrasts with the heavier dishes.
Finally, Watergate salad. I think of it as an American take on ambrosia salad. Pistachio pudding is folded into whipped cream, with canned pineapple, mini marshmallows, and sometimes chopped nuts mixed in, then chilled until set.
After seeing all these dishes on TikTok and learning a bit about their history, I’ve realised that Thanksgiving is more than just food. Tt’s a celebration of tradition, family, and creativity on a plate and a day to really just thanks. Some of it might look strange to a Kiwi, but the flavours, textures, and effort that go into the meal are fascinating. Even if I don’t go full marshmallow-on-potatoes at home, I can appreciate why Americans love it.
