Back in college, people used to throw Thanksgiving parties the week before everyone left for break. The holiday is decidedly about family. But when you’re young-in college or beyond-your friends are your family, and it just doesn’t seem right to celebrate and be thankful without them. After the big day, back in New York City, we would get together with our group of high school girls to recap our various college lives and share all the leftovers from our individual Thanksgiving dinners. It was a great tradition, one we would look forward to along with our annual grand family dinners.
No matter when you do it-a month before Thanksgiving, or the week after-try hosting your own “friends-giving” potluck party. For this type of event, the turkey is the last thing we care about (although we QLC’s might argue that the sides are always the best part of the meal). Here is a list of some of our favorite Thanksgiving dishes that make for perfect portable potluck fare. In this case, the main course is a vegetarian stuffed portobello mushroom, which is a perfect option for the host of the evening, though it can be transported or reheated easier than a turkey. For the rest, we have enough starches, green veggies, and desserts to make your table groan. Have each of yours friends sign up for one of these categories, and the result will be a collection of the most special family dishes in your friends lives, and one heck of a potluck party.
Portobello Mushrooms with Parmesan-Herb Stuffing
Semi-Sweet Potato Mash with Caramelized Onions
Creamed Turnips with Their Greens
Brussels Sprouts with Crispy Bacon