9 months ago
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Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States (though many Native Americans have a very different perspective on its history). It is decidedly not a part of Caribbean history. Lest we forget, over 13 million people in the U.S. were either born in the Caribbean, or are of Caribbean ancestry. And so while Thanksgiving Day might not resonate as a story about pilgrims, it is still a time to gather with family and friends and share food. What winds up on the menu just may not be turkey, and all the traditional side dishes.
My own menu is a hybrid mix of both Black American standards—turkey, collard greens, potato salad and more—and some Puerto Rican holiday specialties. I also have West Indian friends who never eat the turkey, opting instead for jerk chicken.
Join me for a celebration of Caribbean holiday foods you may not be familiar with.
RELATED STORY: Caribbean Matters: Holiday eats and musical treats with sazón, spice, and everything nice
Caribbean Matters is a weekly series from Daily Kos. If you are unfamiliar with the region, check out Caribbean Matters: Getting to know the countries of the Caribbean.
