Most holidays have a little something else to compete with the food: fireworks on the Fourth, presents on Christmas, Easter baskets on Easter. But with Thanksgiving, it’s all about the food. Too bad my kids don’t like the traditional mainstays of turkey day.
Elizabeth sat with me and ate dates stuffed with walnuts. Joseph loves a nice warm brie spread on crackers. They both go nuts sweet potato gnocchi in a brown butter sage sauce. And lest you think I’m raising miniature gourmets, they’re gaga over Kraft mac and cheese and neither of them have met a pizza pocket they didn’t want to become BFFs with.
Still, when it comes to Thanksgiving, getting them to eat a plate full of food is like asking them to clean their room and take a nap combined into one. Just isn’t going to happen without a lot of pleading, bribery, and tears – on my part.
First there’s the turkey. With the exception of the vegetarian gateway drug bacon, neither of my kids are too fond of meat – especially poultry. The turkey is always a no go.
Joseph has always, from the time he was a baby, hated potatoes. And, because she idolizes her big brother, Elizabeth now hates them as well.
Green beans and sweet potatoes fall into the category of too creamy and too sweet. (When I cook sweet potatoes, I tend to do them savory. Their grandmother – head chef of Thanksgiving – goes the marshmallow route.)
And then there’s the stuffing. I adore stuffing. Too much, actually. If I adored it less, the stuffing around my midsection would be slightly smaller. But somehow, I’ve raised children who don’t care for mushy bread.
Which leaves them with rolls and pie. Which they do love.
And leaves me apologizing to my mother in law and explaining that while they loved the carmalized onion and cheese appetizer, they’re not fond of potatoes. Still.
Is there anything on the Thanksgiving table your children don’t like?
