by Laurie Barker Jackman, RD
Thanksgiving is one of my favourite times of year. It is filled with incredible comforting foods, spending time with family and friends, surrounded in a feeling of being grateful. One of the ways I love to celebrate this holiday is with a potluck gathering where everyone can contribute a dish to be shared. With the abundance of fall produce, there are no lack of options to explore. Here are some tasty ideas to try.
Make squash the star side
Butternut squash is by far my top pick for fall produce, and my favourite way to enjoy it is roasted. You can cut it lengthwise, scoop out the seeds and roast cut side down on a baking sheet, or you can peel your squash with a vegetable peeler first, cut into cubes and roast. Once roasted, a simple and easy recipe, perfect to bring to a potluck, is a pureed butternut squash soup. Try this recipe for Carrot and Squash Ginger Soup.
Looking for an easy side dish? Simply toss cubes of squash with oil, maple syrup, cinnamon and rosemary for the perfect side for Thanksgiving.
Versatile apples will complement any dish!
Another one of my preferred fall produce picks are apples. In fall, my family and I enjoy heading to the valley in Nova Scotia to pick apples, it is a tradition we look forward to every year. You can add your apples (I recommend Granny Smith) to your butternut squash soup above. Their slightly tart flavour is the perfect complement to the sweet roasted butternut squash. You can also elevate your salad game by combining apple, butternut squash and quinoa in this hearty salad Cozy Butternut Squash, Apple and Quinoa Harvest Salad.
Nothing says Thanksgiving dessert like apple pie, but why not try something different this year – cinnamon baked apples. All you need to do is combine a mix of tart and sweet apples, thinly sliced, with signature fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. Add a little maple syrup, lemon juice and a touch of cornstarch to thicken the sauce. Bake for 45 minutes covered and you will have the best crowd-pleasing dessert. You can serve with a dollop of vanilla Greek yogurt, whipped cream or classic vanilla ice cream. Is your mouth watering yet?
If you are time-pressed heading to the family dinner, make a simple slaw by combining thinly sliced cabbage, a red and green apple, carrot, and peppers and toss in a creamy dressing. Sprinkle in some pomegranate arils or cranberries and you’ve got a winner!
Embrace beets, head to toe
Beets are definitely a fall favourite and an impressive vegetable to bring to a gathering. You will always find a jar of beets, or if we are lucky, homemade beets from Newfoundland on our table for our Thanksgiving meal. But have you tried creating a dish with this vibrant root vegetable? I love roasting them in the oven for that sweet rich taste, but if you are short on time, you can cook in less than half the time by popping them in your air fryer. I like to slice into mini wedges, toss with a little oil and cook for about 20 minutes (peel after if desired). You can serve them as is or elevate the side dish by adding a bit of feta cheese or crumbled goat cheese on top.
You can also make an easy beet hummus for an appetizer before the main event. Check out an easy and versatile recipe here Hummus 3 Ways.
Also, don’t throw away those beet greens. They are perfectly edible and taste great! Sauté until they are wilted in a bit of oil and garlic, then serve with lemon juice, walnuts and raisins for a killer flavour combo.
Classic green beans always impress
Finally, a great addition to your Thanksgiving potluck are green beans. They are abundant this time of year and a no fuss side that most people around the table can get on board with. You just have to trim the ends and steam for about 6 minutes. I think they taste great as is, but you can top with butter or even add lemon and garlic for a change.
Looking for a modern twist on the OG green bean casserole? Swap canned soup for a homemade mushroom cream sauce, add to roasted green beans and top with sauteed onions. I like to sauté my onions with crispy panko breadcrumbs for a crunchy topping.
Hopefully some of these ideas will inspire you to take advantage of our fall produce in the best way for your Thanksgiving feast. Happy Thanksgiving!
About the author
Laurie Barker Jackman is a registered dietitian and media personality. She is a regular dietitian expert on CTV Morning Live in Halifax, sharing her recipes and nutrition tips to inspire viewers. Check out Laurie’s segments and recipes by following her on Instagram.
