Does coleslaw belong on the Thanksgiving table?
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Anonymous
| Have all the good sides been filled and they're just grasping at straws? To be honest, I think I've brought potato salad and coleslaw to the daycare Thanksgiving luncheon before, because it had to be store bought, and I didn't want to deal with a catering order for a hot side. |
Anonymous
| Some of the traditional foods are not accurate for the period, so... just add whichever dishes you like! |
Anonymous
Stop it. That's a good way to get disinvited. |
Anonymous
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NE Ohio. My grandma made coleslaw with shredded red cabbage and jarred marzetti creamy dressing. I think it was a socio-economic thing more than a regional tradition.
It tasted just like you think it would. |
Anonymous
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Our family table on Thanksgiving includes several dishes that don't belong on a traditional Norman Rockwell thanksgiving table, but are family traditions and family favorites. Those are some of my favorite parts of thanksgiving dinner.
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Anonymous
I’m PA Dutch, and we always had “peppered cabbage”, which I think some would say is a form of coleslaw, and n the table as an appetizer at Thanksgiving, Easter, really every big family dinner. My grandmother always had that, along with carrots, celery, and olives, as a light appetizer. I’m not sure anyone actually ate it, but it was there. |
Anonymous
I wouldn't mind it. The luncheon went way downhill after COVID. Last year they served steamed deli sliced turkey! |
Anonymous
| In Indiana my great aunt always had vinegar slaw at holidays. |
Anonymous
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It is not a traditional Thanksgiving side anywhere. However, the traditional foods form the basis of the Thanksgiving meal and aren’t limits. I think the first Thanksgiving probably had a lot of foods (venison, fish, lobster, eels, etc.) that aren’t served today as part of the traditional meal. Moreover, some of the traditional foods (pecan pie, sweet potato casserole, etc.), were 20th century additions. My grandmother made a fabulous thanksgiving dinner, with all tge staples, but in later years she added enchiladas because that’s what she wanted, and we all enjoyed those as well.
One of the best features of potlucks is trying foods that others love. Unless it is inadvisable for a specific reason (unchilled egg salad at picnic on very hot summer day, alcohol served to kids, peanut butter dish where you know someone is allergic, etc.), “appropriate” isn’t really an issue. If it won’t cause harm to others and the guests are likely to enjoy it, then of course it is appropriate for a potluck, Thanksgiving or otherwise. I’m not personally a fan of coleslaw, but I can appreciate how the fresh and creamy aspects of the dish might complement the other more traditional foods. Who knows? It might start a trend and eventually become a “traditional” Thanksgiving food. |
Anonymous
| No! But I do appreciate something tangy or vinegary at the table, whether it be pickled vegetables, kimchi, or greens with vinaigrette. I like something to cut through the bland, buttery potatoes and the other rich side dishes. |
Anonymous
This is exactly what traditional thanksgiving meals are missing and what cranberry sauce doesn’t provide - an acidic punch that is not overly sweet. In my family, we always have kimchi (and chapjae) at thanksgiving. The kimchi cuts through all the fat and richness. |
Anonymous
| Cole slaw belongs in a bin. |
Anonymous
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I made this one year -- it's delish. Nice crisp tart compliment to all the other heavy sides.
https://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-thanksgiving-slaw-237475 |
Anonymous
| No. I love it but wrong season and wrong meal. |
Anonymous
That dressing sounds delicious. I don’t know if I’ll ever make the slaw, but I might make the dressing (w/o the onion). |