Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving has always been one of the most important days of the year for me and my family. Every year I swear I will never do it again…the marathon cooking…and then the calls come from our girls, Mamma, when are we eating on Thursday and how many will we be having this year? Well, who can refuse?

The year that Barry and I spent in Venice, Italy was no different for me. I thought, what am I going to do, well, the obvious of course….I brought Thanksgiving to Italy! We had already developed a large circle of friends, not to mention the family we have there, and all are curious about what an “American Thanksgiving” dinner was about. So the invitation was extended to all of our local friends and family, the friends of course including the people we had met attending Istituto di Venezia, which come from ALL OVER THE WORLD! No pressure here, I’m only living in an apartment which basically has a closet with a small microwave, 2 burner stove top and yes……NO OVEN!!!! I’ve got to create a Thanksgiving dinner…with a TURKEY and NO OVEN!

Of course my favorite macelleria found me the turkey, but where am I going to cook it? All my friends that own an oven large enough for a turkey have bakeries and bread shops, they can’t have a wonderful aroma in their ovens…what will the pastries taste like, not to mention this is not a holiday for them. Well, found a friend with an oven large enough to hold the turkey that I can use the oven, four blocks, two bridges and three flights of stairs away, did I mention that I marinate my turkey EVERY 30 minutes! Lots of exercise that day!

Well, that evening as I hosted about 25 people from Italy, China, Japan, Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, England, and of course a few from America with a “typical” American Thanksgiving. Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes (commonly known as “patate americane” in Italy) pumpkin pie, everything you have ever associated with Thanksgiving and more….had to have pasta, we’re in Italy….

That Thanksgiving will forever be one of the best, truest in meaning, holidays that I remember and smile. Happy Thanksgiving everyone…and if you find yourself without somewhere to be…just contact Dolce Debbie, she always has a place at her table and will always be cooking on that day! - Debbie