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pouring garam masala, turmeric and other homemade spices into already-spicy taco filling. Sometimes we’ll make the vegetarian Thanksgiving always seems to bring traditional Thanksgiving side dishes — to mind images of going “over the river green bean casserole, mashed potatoes with and through the woods to grandmother’s mushroom gravy and even vegetarian stuffing house” for turkey, family and the annual — but most of the time the side dishes are Thanksgiving football game. But for me, traditional Indian cuisine from different parts grandmother’s house is less “over the river of the country. It’s a build-your-own-feast and through the woods” and more “across extravaganza and I wouldn’t have it any the ocean and through airport security.” other way. Thanksgiving usually means taco night with “Traditional” Thanksgivings — complete my dad’s vegetarian college friends and their with turkey, mashed potatoes and cranberry kids. But that’s just fine. sauce — are great, but they’re not for my Now, don’t get me wrong, I love the idea of family. And that’s okay. Society doesn’t dictate a Thanksgiving feast. I’m a sucker for turkey, what traditions are the “right” traditions, mashed potatoes and gravy but with only family does. four people — myself, my parents and my And sometimes traditions have to fall to little brother — a full Thanksgiving dinner the wayside. This year, my family’s usual with all the trimmings is overkill. If we’re taco night will be replaced because most lucky, my aunt and uncle will be in town and of the people we celebrate with are going they’ll bring their kids, but eight people still out of town or out of the country. Instead, can’t feasibly finish off a 15-pound turkey and we’re celebrating with the families of my accompanying side dishes. So we don’t. brother’s friends. While my family loves food, we also love Sure, I miss having turkey every any reason to get together with friends. Thanksgiving, especially when everyone Thanksgiving, even without turkey, is I know is having a massive feast with perfect for that. Many of my parents’ best their extended family, but it really isn’t as friends from college live in America and, miserable of a time as some people make it like us, are far away from their extended out to be. The real tradition of Thanksgiving families. So we all get together and create is, well, giving thanks and being with family a family of our own, going from just eight and friends. The food is just an added bonus. people to more than 15. The only catch? Personally, I love taco night. I also love They’re all vegetarians. trying new things, and I’m looking forward Which means no turkey. to this year. Maybe my family will end up Instead, we fuse Indian and Mexican blending taco night with whatever new cuisine, turning tortillas into roti — tradition is created this year. That’s our they’re both flatbreads, after all — and tradition — trying new things. BY UMMEKULSOOM ARIF Opinions Editor
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