Authentic Appalachian Thanksgiving Recipes from West Virginia Department of Agriculture

Thanksgiving evokes classic comforts like mashed potatoes, green beans, and gravy. For a distinctive holiday feast, enhance your turkey and stuffing with timeless Appalachian flavors. Gather your family this Thanksgiving for trusted traditional recipes from the West Virginia Department of Agriculture.

Squash Doughnuts

Elevate your desserts with these unique squash doughnuts.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 2 cups sugar
• ½ cup cooked mashed squash
• ½ cup sour milk
• ¾ cup flour
• ½ teaspoon soda
• 3 tablespoons cornmeal
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 egg (beaten)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla

1. Cream shortening. Add sugar and squash to sour milk.
2. Add ⅗ cup flour and other dry ingredients; then add the beaten egg. Stir well. Add vanilla and remainder of flour.
3. Cover and let stand at least 1 hour. Roll out to about ⅓ inch and cut with doughnut cutter. Fry in deep fat, 370°F, for 3 minutes. Makes 3 dozen.

Corn Bread

Swap traditional rolls for hearty corn bread.

Ingredients

• ¾ cups sifted flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1½ cups yellow cornmeal
• 2 eggs (beaten)
• 1¼ cups milk
• ¼ cup melted shortening

1. Sift flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together. Stir in cornmeal.
2. Combine eggs and milk. Add to flour mixture and blend. Stir in shortening. Pour into greased and floured 9-inch square pan.
3. Bake at 425°F for 25 to 30 minutes. Yields 6 to 8 servings.

Sweet Potato Pie

Delight your family with classic sweet potato pie.

Ingredients

• ½ recipe plain pastry
• 1½ cups hot mashed sweet potatoes
• 3 eggs (slightly beaten)
• ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon allspice
• ¼ teaspoon ginger
• ½ cup milk
• ¼ cup brandy
• 2 tablespoons butter (melted)

1. Line 8-inch pie plate with pastry.
2. Mix other ingredients in order given; turn into pie shell and bake for 10 minutes in 450°F oven.
3. Reduce heat to moderate 350°F and bake 25-35 minutes longer or until knife inserted in pie comes out clean.

Fried Pumpkin Bloom

Source fresh pumpkin or squash blossoms from your local market for an elegant garnish or tasty side.

1. Gather fresh pumpkin bloom and remove green portion at base of bloom.
2. Dip in a seasoned milk and egg batter and roll in flour, cornmeal or fine bread crumbs.
3. Fry in a heavy skillet until light brown.

Which Thanksgiving recipe will you try first?