Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you have a pleasant one with your family and friends. As we all know, especially here in Texas, our friends become family, especially during the holidays.

For us, our family is spread in many directions, so it’s often that we celebrate Thanksgiving with our close friends. We truly are truly thankful for them, and our families, when we can get together. The holidays just make those moments all the merrier.

When I think of Thanksgiving, I think of the past and getting together with my grandparents on the farm. Having fresh veggies and fruit, my aunt’s Italian crème cake, and other goodies. My go to was always my grandfather’s wonderful citrus salad. I usually try to have a citrus salad for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I fix my salad just a little different nowadays and I take shortcuts in sectioning the citrus as well. My grandfather would spend all morning working on his – peeling the fruit and then getting the membrane off the citrus. Today, I cut the tops and bottoms off the citrus, round the sides, and then use a small sharp knife to pull out the citrus. I try to waste as little of the fruit as possible.

My Grandfather would get some grapefruit and oranges to do his salad with – most of them coming from their own back yard. Me, I like to get my citrus from a local citrus grower/shop in the Valley whenever possible. I try to use several types of grapefruit, a couple of oranges, and even include some mandarins and tangerines. It all depends on the flavor profile I am wanting and what’s available – I love to use Marrs and Cara Cara Oranges when I can.

I then throw in some cherries – with the juice – and if I want some crisp I will throw in some sliced apples and grapes.

Mix it together and have a really nice refreshing citrus salad for dessert, as a side, or even as a great breakfast treat.

This is something I have to have at least during one of the holiday meals. It’s very refreshing after it has been in the fridge overnight.

So, what is a tradition you like to keep during the holidays? Is there a specific item that must be at your dinner table for Thanksgiving?

BTW, our other one is tamales the day after Thanksgiving and then leftovers for two days, saving any other turkey for casseroles and sandwiches.

Share your favorites with us. I would love to hear what you do for the holidays. What makes them extra special if you are spending them here in the Valley with friends?

Until next week, have a very blessed and safe Thanksgiving!

~ Rina