Thanksgiving: Celebrating the Fall Harvest
They brought precious seeds, herbs, and medicinal plants with them on the perilous sea voyage. Early American settlers learned
the uses of local plants and herbs from Native Americans and this combined herbal
lore carried them through those first dark years and formed the basis of uniquely
American herbal traditions. The colonial garden provided food for the larder,
dyes to brighten for homespun clothes, savory herbs for the pot, and medicinal
plants that served in good stead in a time where doctors were scarce and pharmacies
non-existent. The garden also provided a bright solace for the soul in an otherwise
hard existence;flowers and herbs were grown not just for utility but for
their beauty as well.
As the leaves turn and mornings begin with frost we celebrate
the harvest with feasting and family. Savory herbs such as
parsley , sage, rosemary
and thyme are the culinary stars of the Thanksgiving celebration. The recent Halloween jack-o-lantern pumpkin now provides the makings of creamy pies and custards. The kitchen
is redolent with the heady aroma of spices - cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and clove
studded oranges. Walnuts and hazelnuts, rich in fats, minerals, and vitamins,
still claim a high place in the holiday tradition even though modern life has
dulled the memory of how they helped our ancestors survive the deprivations of
winter.
Thanksgiving is as much about feeding the soul as the body. Enjoy.
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