Thanksgiving 2022 With a Side of Family

Thanksgiving. 

To most Americans it's a time to get together with family and enjoy a good meal. But it's tough celebrating this holiday when you're living in a country that doesn't understand the notion of Thanksgiving. And yet, we consider ourselves pretty lucky, especially this year, because we were able to celebrate this holiday with friends. Scratch that. Family.

The company was amazing but making the meal was an ordeal for a huge reason. In the States, Thanksgiving takes place in the fall, but it's springtime in Argentina. So, cooking a turkey in 100-degree weather with no A/C was A NIGHTMARE!

Despite the heat, the turkey and the sides--which included stuffing, mashed potatoes, biscuits, a macaroni salad and regular salad--were delicious. Don't ask me about the green bean casserole. I mentioned this last year. Green bean casseroles are dreadful and have no place in our home.

As far as desserts go, things didn't go as planned. We wanted to make an apple pie, which is a signature dessert during the holidays. But by the time we were done cooking the turkey, our house felt like the heart of the sun. So, we made the executive decision to turn the oven off for the night. 

Although we didn't bake a pie, we did cool off with some ice cream and a coconut cake we had baked the day before.

Over the course of the night, we talked, laughed and enjoyed a hearty meal. In other words, our Thanksgiving was... MAGICAL! It also made me realize something. 

We had celebrated with extended family members when we were back home for many years. I'm talking about lavish parties with over 50 guests and all kinds of food that honored traditional American and Puerto Rican dishes. (Just to clarify, my husband is of Puerto Rican descent.) But we always felt like outcasts at these family gatherings and failed to make genuine connections with anyone. So, even though we miss the States, our friends, and certain family members, we realized that the connection we longed for during the Thanksgiving holiday wasn't 5,000 miles away, but right under our roof.

And if you're wondering how much the turkey cost us in Argentina this year, it set us back about $6,700 Argentine pesos for an eight pounder. That would be about $39.95 USD.

But don't expect my upcoming Christmas post to include any elaborate meals this year. We have NO INTENTION of turning our oven on. We will, however, have refreshing alternatives like fruit, salad, some sandwiches, and lots and lots of cold drinks.