New Botanical Twists on a Classic Thanksgiving Menu

Turkey with Kumato Salsa

Tradition dictates that Thanksgiving Turkey must be dressed with gravy, but those looking for a new botanical twist on the classic will find the perfect quotient of decadence and zing in GC Graphic Designer Eidia Moni’s Kumato Salsa. In this easy-make sauce, fresh kumato tomatoes combine with minced jalapeños, crushed garlic, and capers to make the perfect dressing for a holiday bird– no matter how you cook it.

Find the recipe here.

There are a number of ways to cook a Thanksgiving Turkey– roasting, basting, deep-frying– but what really matters when it comes to flavor is the spice. Subtle touches like incorporating garlic and rosemary into the cooking process (and shallots, if you’re feeling frisky) can result in Kitchen magic– regardless of what kind of gravy you choose. The flavors from these garden-sourced ingredients compliment almost all sauces, and the results look wholesome and fresh.

Dijon Mustard Acorn Squash Wedges

Is there anything better than freshly-roasted squash? This spicy take on roasted acorn squash (with dijon mustard, red chili flakes, and cilantro) will have even the most discriminating taste buds jonesing for a fix. Simply combine Eidia’s bespoke spice marinade, coat the wedges, and roast. The results are as easy as they are delicious– two essential goals for successful holiday food prep.

Find the recipe here.

Reverso glasses (one of our favorite items in the GC Shop!) are ideal aeration vessels for serving biodynamic wine— a must at any GC holiday celebration. For pairings with meat or flavorful vegetables like those in this series of recipes, we recommend seeking out fruity, dry white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc, which pairs well with mild spice.

Apple and Fennel Gratin

Fennel is one of those hit-or-miss spices that can turn certain people off if used in excess. Our Apple and Fennel Gratin achieves the perfect balance of sweet and savory, using two key ingredients– coconut milk and sage– to offset the herbaceous, licorice-like zest that fennel adds to traditional gratins and other savory casseroles.

Find the recipe here.

Vegan Chili Dark Chocolate Cake with Sweet Potato Frosting

“Dessert” doesn’t have to come with scare quotes when it’s made with wholesome vegetables, and GC’s Vegan Chili Dark Chocolate Cake combines applesauce, red chili powder, coconut oil, and cashew milk to make a moist, vegan cake that’s full of added nutrients (hint: it also contains apple cider vinegar). Not to be outdone by the spongey dessert it compliments, our homemade Sweet Potato Frosting (a twist off of a more traditional version we found on Food52) also features chili powder, luscious chocolate, cinnamon, and cashew milk for a sweet and not-too-spicy treat.

Find the recipe for our cake here. (The recipe for the frosting is here.)