Get-together foods

VIEWPOINT

By RALPH HARDIN

Evening Times Editor

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite days of the year. Sure, it’s nice to see relatives and such and get everyone under one roof, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit the big draw is the Thanksgiving meal.

Oh, I’m definitely tbankful for friends and family and for all the Lord has blessed us with, but I’m also definitely in it for the deviled eggs.

Maybe it’s different with you and your family, but for me and mine, there are some foods that everyone loves to eat but they only get served at special holiday get-togethers.

Why is that?

I specifically mentioned deviled eggs because they are one of my very favorite finger foods (when done correctly… don’t come at me with overly-vinegar eggs or eggs filled with weird ingredients like tuna or olives). I don’t know why, but for some reason there’s some unspoken rule about making deviled eggs only if there are like at least 15 people coming to dinner.

And what about pumpkin pie. Why is pumpkin pie only considered acceptable for like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and that’s it? Why can’t there be Easter pumpkin pie?

See VIEWPOINT, page A5 VIEWPOINT

From page A4

Pumpkins are an inherently American so where’s my 4th of July pumpkin pie?

We only do a big ham on holidays too. And my grandmother-in-law makes awesome cookies (but only for the holidays).

My Mom makes the absolute best homemade rolls. You really can’t beat them, but it has to be a special occasion for her to break out the recipe. And try as I might, I can not duplicate whatever magic she adds.

I’m not saying we should be having dressing with every meal (I’m not NOT saying it either but I get that it’s a hassle). I just think it’s time we made an executive level decision that sweet potatoes with the marshmallows on top (or my preference, the pecans and brown sugar) doesn’t have to be withheld for the Savior’s birth or resurrection or only for thanking the Lord for our many blessings. I say this, though, as someone who would not be super-sad if we just had Thanksgiving cheeseburgers (again, as long as there’s deviled eggs). I guess I shouldn’t complain. Back in the early 1980s, every holiday was some kind of weird casserole or some funky turquoise concoction called “Watergate Salad.”

Turkey and dressing is just fine for me, thanks!