Let’s Honor Our Veterans and Celebrate History!
November brings us a holiday to honor our soldiers, old and new. Originally, Veterans Day was known as Armistice Day and was created to signify the end of World War l. It was a special day dedicated to honoring the veterans who fought in the war. It was later changed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor all veterans; that is how we know it today.
Veterans Day is celebrated every year on November 11. This year, Veteran's Day falls on a Saturday. It is a federal holiday, so schools, banks, and many businesses are closed.
There are really no special foods that are eaten on Veterans Day, but if the weather allows, gatherings with hamburgers and hotdogs are always popular. Serving snack foods like hummus, charcuteries with fresh fruits, Clean Snax®, and Melissa’s popcorns will be a hit!
For cooler weather, preparing dishes like soups or casseroles with hard squash can be popular. Often, squash is also used as décor.
November is also a time to give thanks for everything around us. We enjoy our families and friends and show our appreciation on Thanksgiving. On the fourth Thursday of November (this year, it is November 23rd), families and friends gather for a feast of thanks.
History tells us that originally, Thanksgiving was a three-day feast, giving thanks to God by the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony, who safely survived a brutal winter. This feast provided food for 53 pilgrims and 90 Native Americans. Today's Thanksgiving feast has many similarities in the foods served: berries, fruit, pumpkin and squash.
Melissa's wants to celebrate with you by offering some serving suggestions to enhance your Thanksgiving Day feast. Trends are leaning toward healthier gatherings, and new items such as fresh jackfruit, legumes and grains are making their way into kitchens nationwide. Try mixing grains with your favorite stuffing recipe to add fiber and nutrition; add fresh or dried cranberries, and you have a delicious, healthy side. Other fun appetizers are dragon fruit slices placed on top of a starfruit slice, then topped with a Greek yogurt dollop. Try simple Melba toast rounds topped with Melissa's Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto mixed with cream cheese. Everyone will love it, and it is fast and simple to make.
Planning is vital for a successful holiday meal. Prepare your turkey early in the morning and cook it all day to get the aroma in the air. Use a turkey "bag" to ensure a moist turkey, and it basically takes care of itself (no basting). You can even toss your veggies into the bag with the turkey. Use plenty of baby fingerlings, baby carrots, and peeled pearl or boiler onions to serve as a tasty side dish. Melissa's Steamed Line is a fast and delicious answer for side dishes. Our roasted Brussels sprouts are popular for any holiday meal; heat and toss with some crispy onions for a real treat. Organic baby yams are always a hit served casserole-style and topped with marshmallows. Fresh cranberry sauce and roasted Baby Dutch Yellow® Potatoes will be perfect sides, along with the green bean casserole that everyone loves and looks forward to every holiday season. Make it simple and easy but tasty and filling.
Don’t forget the grazing boards with fruits and cheese and charcuterie boards garnished with pomegranate arils. These make a perfect appetizer station, along with fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, to take the edge off your appetite. Your guests will thank you!
Veterans Day is celebrated every year on November 11. This year, Veteran's Day falls on a Saturday. It is a federal holiday, so schools, banks, and many businesses are closed.
There are really no special foods that are eaten on Veterans Day, but if the weather allows, gatherings with hamburgers and hotdogs are always popular. Serving snack foods like hummus, charcuteries with fresh fruits, Clean Snax®, and Melissa’s popcorns will be a hit!
For cooler weather, preparing dishes like soups or casseroles with hard squash can be popular. Often, squash is also used as décor.
November is also a time to give thanks for everything around us. We enjoy our families and friends and show our appreciation on Thanksgiving. On the fourth Thursday of November (this year, it is November 23rd), families and friends gather for a feast of thanks.
History tells us that originally, Thanksgiving was a three-day feast, giving thanks to God by the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony, who safely survived a brutal winter. This feast provided food for 53 pilgrims and 90 Native Americans. Today's Thanksgiving feast has many similarities in the foods served: berries, fruit, pumpkin and squash.
Melissa's wants to celebrate with you by offering some serving suggestions to enhance your Thanksgiving Day feast. Trends are leaning toward healthier gatherings, and new items such as fresh jackfruit, legumes and grains are making their way into kitchens nationwide. Try mixing grains with your favorite stuffing recipe to add fiber and nutrition; add fresh or dried cranberries, and you have a delicious, healthy side. Other fun appetizers are dragon fruit slices placed on top of a starfruit slice, then topped with a Greek yogurt dollop. Try simple Melba toast rounds topped with Melissa's Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto mixed with cream cheese. Everyone will love it, and it is fast and simple to make.
Planning is vital for a successful holiday meal. Prepare your turkey early in the morning and cook it all day to get the aroma in the air. Use a turkey "bag" to ensure a moist turkey, and it basically takes care of itself (no basting). You can even toss your veggies into the bag with the turkey. Use plenty of baby fingerlings, baby carrots, and peeled pearl or boiler onions to serve as a tasty side dish. Melissa's Steamed Line is a fast and delicious answer for side dishes. Our roasted Brussels sprouts are popular for any holiday meal; heat and toss with some crispy onions for a real treat. Organic baby yams are always a hit served casserole-style and topped with marshmallows. Fresh cranberry sauce and roasted Baby Dutch Yellow® Potatoes will be perfect sides, along with the green bean casserole that everyone loves and looks forward to every holiday season. Make it simple and easy but tasty and filling.
Don’t forget the grazing boards with fruits and cheese and charcuterie boards garnished with pomegranate arils. These make a perfect appetizer station, along with fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, to take the edge off your appetite. Your guests will thank you!
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