11 November 2009

Martinmas

Having discovered that Martinmas is the traditional harvest feast celebration in this part of the world, rather like Thanksgiving, which in fact derives from it, is in the U.S.A. We've decided to have a feast today. Goose (Martinigans) is the traditional food, but having found none of it in the grocery stores of Traiskirchen, we decided to substitute duck. They are both birds that swim and honk a lot, anyways.

I think this is actually Lisa's first attempt at something like a thanksgiving dinner, though, which is rather exciting. At this point, the preparations seem to be going well. As well as three ducks currently in the oven, there's already an apple pie and fresh bread rolls on the counter; potatoes are boiling down on the stovetop for mashing; sausage stuffing is next on the list, and salad is coming with the guests.

Oh, and one of my favorite newly discovered Martinmas traditions is the drinking of the years new wines.

7 comments:

big daddy said...

Following up on a suggestion in the newspaper, I discovered last year that Gewuertztraminer is excellent with turkey. Perhaps with duck as well?

Somebody Calls Me Nana said...

Sounds yummy!

ckgaler said...

Dang, and here I thought the Traditional Drink would be a Martini. . .

Unknown said...

Brilliant!
Next year, we're adding Martinis to the menu for sure. What do you need for those? Vodka and Vermouth? What might vermouth be in German, I wonder.

ckgaler said...

A martini is normally gin and vermouth, but I have heard of 'vodka martinis' (for those, I suppose, whose palates are too delicate for that full-on resinous gin flavor. . .)

Unknown said...

Ah yes, but with vodka one has the option of making a Grey Goose Martini, and what could be more appropriate than that?

big daddy said...

For Thankgiving you could make a martini with Cold Turkey?