Traditional Thanksgiving food or Mexican food?
Okay, so everyone knows “traditional” Thanksgiving food is turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pie, and rolls. Though not everyone at school eats turkey for Thanksgiving. Some students think there’s a better option: Mexican food. Take senior Sam Macduff, for example. “I think traditional food is disgusting. I prefer Mexican food; traditional food is bland and has no taste.” So what does Sam eat for Thanksgiving, since rumor has it, he hates turkey since it’s dry and bland? “Every year after Thanksgiving dinner, I go get tamales with my sister even though I’m white.”
Sam isn’t the only student who thinks Mexican Thanksgiving food is better than “traditional” food. Senior Cassandra Salazar said, “Mexican food is better,” but what does she have? Tamales! Just like Sam, Cassandra prefers good ol’ Mexican tamales instead of “traditional” food. Other Mexican foods people have instead of “traditional” food are Pozole, Caldo de Res, Buñuelos, Conchas, etc. Senior Josh Alviter also prefers Mexican food. Why? “I’ve grown up eating Mexican food, and when I do eat it brings back nostalgia.”
Someone with a great example as to why she prefers Mexican over “traditional” food is Senior Nat Heron: “It’s more flavorful. While Thanksgiving meals usually focus on turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing, Mexican food offers a variety of spices, colors, and textures that make every bite perfect. Dishes like pozole, albondigas (meatballs), menudo, and arroz con leche consist of meats, fresh vegetables, and tasty sauces that create a perfect balance of taste. Unlike a heavy and predictable “traditional” Thanksgiving menu, Mexican food celebrates a wide variety of flavors for everyone, whether you like spicy, cheesy, or fresh flavors.
“First, I love my culture, and food plays a big role in that. Second, not to be biased, but to me, Mexican food just tastes better. Stuff like tamales, Mole, Champurrado, Atole, Pozole, etc. They’re just so much better options with Mexican food.” Said Miguel Tello.
Ramiro Ramirez said he prefers Mexican food because “ I love tacos and birria or tamales, better variety and better foods in my opinion.”
Honestly, it’s understandable that Mexican food has been served on Thanksgiving for years in families and is finally getting the recognition it deserves.
Now I am not knocking on Traditional food, turkey, and stuffing are good too, but the students of PHS have spoken for themselves.
Some families do both, which is pretty awesome, like they make a turkey and tamales, which sounds like the best of both worlds. Conchas and pumpkin pie? Mashed potatoes and Caldo De Res? That’s a win for both sides, especially for the students who love both traditional foods and Mexican food.
Evan Mendoza is one of those students who prefer both foods for Thanksgiving. “Growing up, I would go between my parents, which one is white and the other Mexican. I enjoyed both.”
Some people will forever defend “traditional” food, and some will defend Mexican food, but not everyone’s “traditional” food is the same. Your family could have tamales every year that it’s become a tradition in your family. Thanksgiving used to be a specific meal, but now it’s kind of whatever you want to enjoy and eat.
But here at Pasco High, it seems the students have spoken on what they think is the better food option for Thanksgiving. Whether it’s Caldo, Tamales, Pozole, etc., or turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing, students sure do know how to enjoy a good meal.
