The origins of Canadian thanksgiving is more closely connect to the traditions of the European then the Americans. The Europeans had celebrations to thank for the bountiful harvest for many years and this celebration was in October. In Canada for a few hundred years, Thanksgiving was celebrated in late October or early November. It was declared a national holiday in 1879 and at that time November 6th was the day set aside for Thanksgiving. It was on January 31, 1957 that the Canadian Parliament announced that on the second Monday of October, Thanksgiving would be
"A Day of General Thanksgiving to
Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with
which Canada has been blessed...to be
observed on the second Monday in October."
Growing up my family always had a Thanksgiving meal of turkey with all the trimmings and pumpkin pie. We would at times either get together with my mom or dad's family or have them over. Now as we have grown older and have our own family and live in different parts of the country and the world it is harder to get together. Although the ones that are still living around where we grew up, still get together during the Thanksgiving weekend.
My own celebration of Thanksgiving is kind of hit or miss, depending if I have to work or not. As my husband is Togolese, we really don't have any tradition. This year I did make a bigger meal of cornish hens and a couple of sides. I also made Butter Tarts....something that I think is truly Canadian and something that I have been craving for a long time. I love Butter Tarts and I think this is the first time that my husband tried them and he also said "they aren't bad."
Butter Tarts
adapted for the Lucky Lake Community Rink Cookbook
Ingredients:
Pie crust - either bought or homemade
1/3 cup butter (or margarine)
1 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp milk or cream
1 egg, well beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup raisins (or currants)
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Makes 12 tarts
Spray muffin tins with Pam. Roll out pie crust and cut into 5 inch circles and place in muffin tins. Prick bottom of dough. Set muffin tin aside.
In mixing bowl, mix butter and brown sugar together. Add milk and egg and beat until well mix. Add vanilla and then mix in raisins. I measure raisins and let sit in hot water until I am ready to use, drain water and then add to sugar mixture. Fill tart shells about 2/3 full.
Place in oven, bake for 8 minutes at 450 degree oven. Reduce heat to 350 degree and continue to bake until pastry is brown. Enjoy!
Enjoy! |
information about Thanksgiving:
http://www.kidzworld.com/article/2614-canadian-thanksgiving
http://www.craimarlatt.com/canada/symbols_facts&list/thanksgiving.html
http://www.timeanddate.com/holiday/canada/thanksgiving-day
Links: Sweet Confession Sunday Link Party, Foodie Friends Friday,Freedom Fridays, You're Gonna Love It
Links: Sweet Confession Sunday Link Party, Foodie Friends Friday,Freedom Fridays, You're Gonna Love It