Celebrating Thanksgiving with Local Alberta Flavors

Ah, Thanksgiving – a time for gratitude, family gatherings, and of course, delicious food. Alberta, with its rich agricultural heritage, offers a plethora of local ingredients that can transform traditional Thanksgiving recipes into unique regional delights. This year, why not celebrate by incorporating some of the best foodstuffs Alberta has to offer?

*Alberta Herb-Infused Roasted Turkey

*Ingredients:*
- 1 whole turkey 
- 4 tablespoons of fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage (locally grown, if possible)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup Alberta-made canola oil or melted butter
- Salt and pepper to taste

*Instructions:*
1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. Rinse the turkey and pat dry.
3. In a bowl, mix together the herbs, garlic, canola oil or butter, salt, and pepper. Rub this mixture all over the turkey.
4. Roast the turkey as per its weight, generally about 15 minutes per pound. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Quinoa and Wild Mushroom Stuffing

*Ingredients:*
- 2 cups cooked Quinoa
- 1 cup wild mushrooms 
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- Salt and pepper to taste

*Instructions:*
1. In a skillet, sauté the onions, garlic, and mushrooms in butter until tender.
2. Mix in the cooked barley, parsley, salt, and pepper.
3. Use the mixture to stuff the turkey or bake it separately in a covered dish for about 30 minutes at 350°F (175°C).

Creamy Alberta Potato Gratin

*Ingredients:*
- 4 large Alberta-grown potatoes, thinly sliced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup grated Alberta-made cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste

*Instructions:*
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a saucepan, heat the cream and garlic until just simmering. Remove from heat.
3. Layer the potato slices in a baking dish. Pour the garlic-infused cream over the potatoes.
4. Top with grated cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper.
5. Bake for 40-50 minutes until the top is golden and the potatoes are tender.

Alberta Blueberry Pie

*Ingredients:*
- 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 premade pie crust (or homemade if preferred)

*Instructions:*
1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. In a bowl, mix the Saskatoon berries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice.
3. Pour the berry mixture into the pie crust.
4. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the filling is bubbly and the crust is golden.
5. Let it cool before serving.



Thanksgiving is a celebration of gratitude and the bounties of nature. By incorporating local Alberta ingredients into your feast, not only are you supporting local farmers and producers, but you're also savoring the authentic flavors of the region. Enjoy your Alberta Thanksgiving feast!