This Thanksgiving we’re giving thanks to each and every person who works to make for a good, clean, and fair food available to everyone. Whether you’re packing your daughter’s lunch every day, managing a school garden, holding an endangered foods potluck, or reading Fast Food Nation together with friends, we’re moved and inspired by the surge of interest this movement has seen in the past year and the extraordinary work being done around the country and around the world.
We wanted to give something back, so we thought about what kinds of things people ask us for most and the number one thing is information about how to “go slow.” Cooking with fresh, local, seasonal, and heirloom foods is exciting and delicious, but it can be hard to know where to start. “What’s so special about heritage turkeys?” “Where can I buy them?” “I like the idea of using heirloom foods but I don’t know how to cook with them.” “Can I have a Slow Food meal that doesn’t cost a fortune?”
Our Thanksgiving 2011 Guide is here to help. It’s meant to help you:
- Try new recipes using local, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients. There’s something for everyone – whether you’re planning a traditional turkey dinner or looking for vegetarian alternatives.
- Find ingredients near you and locate farmers markets, heritage turkey breeders, and Ark of Taste foods near your home. *Act fast if you want a heritage turkey: farms are selling out!
- Get tips, tricks, and Slow Food USA recommendations to make prepping less stressful and cooking more fun and nutritious.
- Learn about First Nation-led projects to hold onto traditional foods and practices.
We hope this is helpful, and if you have questions or suggestions email thanksgiving [at] slowfoodusa.org
Thanks again, and we wish you and your loved ones a holiday full of cheer and good eats.
