Here's What to Serve to Turn Your Thanksgiving Dinner Into a Hispanic Dream Feast

By Neil P. First Posted: Nov 26, 2020 03:24 AM EST

There are over 60 million Hispanics and Latinos across the United States, and they are expected to celebrate Thanksgiving Day even with the pandemic.

(Photo : John Moore/Getty Images)
Central American immigrants and their families pray before Thanksgiving dinner in 2016.

Thanksgiving is not just a simple celebration for Hispanics and Latinos across the country, but this is also an opportunity for them to be with their families. Some of them are expected to travel to be with their parents to celebrate Thanksgiving Day.

The traditional celebration might not be the same this year because of the global pandemic. Some may choose to merely stay-at-home and celebrate Thanksgiving with the people they live with instead of traveling to other places.

But one thing is for sure in these uncertain times, Hispanics and Latinos will serve traditional dishes from their native country along with some American meals for the holidays. A Hispanic and Latino infused Thanksgiving is what we surely don't want to miss most.

Here's how Hispanics across the country are more likely to celebrate the Thanksgiving dinner, according to a published article in Spoon University:

Cubans

The number of Cubans in the country is growing fast. Most of them enjoy and love to live in the U.S. because of the economic relief that the present administration gave them, like employment and housing.

Cubans are known for large gatherings, and the global pandemic might change this way of celebration. But Cuban families will definitely serve at the table the "platanito maduros."

Fried sweet plantains are a staple side dish in Cuban cuisine alongside frijoles negros that are just black beans. Their abuelas will make sure that foods during the Thanksgiving holiday will remind their origin.

Argentinians

The main dish during the Thanksgiving holiday is a turkey, but Argentinians have an alternative for this. Milanesa is a popular dish in Latin America, but Argentinians make it exceptionally well.

This dish is typically an array of breaded meats that can range from pork, chicken to steak. Argentinians are well-known for serving this dish as an alternative for turkey, or sometimes they serve both dishes.

Puerto Ricans

You are lucky if you have a Puerto Rican friend because you could have a taste of the mofongo dish at their Thanksgiving dinner table.

This staple dish, which could be eaten throughout the day, is essential to Puerto Ricans. It consists of garlic-flavored mashed plantains as its key ingredient.

Dominicans

Dominicans always serve bizcoho any time of the year, but they can surely make this cake extra-special this Thanksgiving Day. Dominicans could turn this popular cake dessert into a rum cake. They usually do this during the holidays.

Venezuelans

Salad is typically not served during holidays, but the ensalada de gallina or chicken salad is a staple item to Venezuelans. This dish is a star for Venezuelans during Thanksgiving Day. It is a salad packed with potatoes, mayo, carrots, and chicken.

Thanksgiving is a holiday where everyone across the country celebrates the harvest and other life's blessings.

Traditionally, people gather together to celebrate this special holiday. However, with the global pandemic and warnings from the health experts against social gatherings this year, the celebration might be limited.