Family + Holiday x Food = Love

Family Recipes That Become Holiday Traditions

Welcome to Janine’s Journal Jam. An offering of journal prompts and the stories that spark them. May they inspire you to jam with your journal!

Meatballs the size of baseballs.

Piles of spaghetti.

Meat sauce cooked with beef brisket and pork. Fresh Italian bread, Daddy's Pudding, Pastichio, lasagna, Manicotti, Easter bread, sugar cookies, cheesecake, and sweets galore.

My mom donning a frilly apron stirring a 16 qt. pot filled to the brim with red meat sauce, the aroma of spices, the sounds of laughter.

This is my red sauce that I’ve adjusted to be meat free. (Photo by Author)

The joy of family gatherings.

The table piled with more food than any one of the 20 + family members could possibly eat. But that’s alright because with a big supply of containers for leftovers, everyone could carry the glee back home with them. And, if by some wild chance we ran out of food—well we could always order pizza.

Family + holiday x food = love

This equation was and still is the family recipe for our holiday joyfulness.

My mother planned and cooked the entire holiday meal whether it was Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter.

Her recipes are artfully detailed storytellers.

• Who created the recipe?

• What cultural stories are behind the recipe?

• Who else learned how to make it?

• What stories were told around that recipe while it was being made?

For Thanksgiving, my mom always cooked a 24-pound turkey. She baked chestnuts for the homemade stuffing that she cooked inside the turkey. Her specialty was Candied Sweet Potatoes. My mom was inspired by a recipe in a cookbook and created her personal side dish that has become a tradition. The night before she'd peel at least 20 sweet potatoes and boil them until the skin was easy to peel off. Then the morning of Thanksgiving she'd cut them into quarters. Multiple trays would be lined with the orange gems. She generously covered the potatoes with the sticky and sweet blend of melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, cooking them in the oven until they were a golden brown.

Candied Sweet Potatoes made by my mom. (Photo by Author)

They tasted of hope and happiness surrounded by laughter.

My mom put her heart into her food because it was her way of showing love.

Family is her greatest treasure.

My sister, Michele, now holds Thanksgiving dinner at her house. Her husband cooks two 18-pound deep-fried turkeys so there are always leftovers. Some traditions just make sense to continue!

My mom still boils the sweet potatoes, and we prep the candied delectation with her. There's also homemade stuffing as well as boxed, mashed potatoes, corn, gravy and cranberry sauce from a can (important to note!).

Daddy's Pudding is a family recipe that my mom learned from her mother-in-law, who made it for him as a kid. It's a layer of crushed graham crackers, chocolate pudding made with condensed milk, crushed graham crackers, vanilla pudding made with condensed milk and sprinkles of graham crackers on top. My sister has the special rectangular Tupperware that is only used for this pudding.

Daddy’s Pudding that everyone saves room for! (Photo by Author)

When it's served it's a reminder of our dad and the sweetness he brought to the holidays.

Favorite foods. A bounty of dishes adorning the table.

Giving thanks and gratitude for the love felt during these family gatherings.

Remembering those not with us and feeling them through the foods they enjoyed.

Whenever I eat these foods made from the heart, feelings of love for my family flood over me.

Here are some Journal Prompt offerings to perhaps ask family members in order to remember those precious family stories.

Family Recipe Journal Prompts:

• What are some traditional family recipes that you or others make during the holidays?

• What is the cultural or familial significance of these recipes?

• Who created the recipes?

• What are some stories surrounding them?

• Who is the keeper of the recipes?

• What would you like to know about your family's recipes and the traditions surrounded them?

  • Is there someone that you can still ask?

• How have you put your personal stamp on your family recipes?

• How have the recipes changed over the years?

• What feelings do these foods evoke?

• How can you honor these special moments around the table as you enjoy these beautiful gifts of love?

Have a beautiful and peaceful holiday season filled with love!

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