Table for Two: A Thanksgiving Tale of Culinary Disasters and Family Traditions
In his new collection of short stories and novellas, acclaimed author Amor Towles serves up a delectable morsel that explores the bittersweet ironies surrounding our most gluttonous holiday: Thanksgiving.
The Edible Turkey Odyssey
Thanksgiving, originally designed as a harvest feast, has morphed into a culinary paradox in which we indulge in relentless consumption. Its centerpiece, the mighty turkey, epitomizes this culinary crisis.
“The notion of eating a game bird is to savor its subtleties of flavor,” Towles writes. But the massive, factory-farmed turkeys that adorn our holiday tables are a far cry from the delicate partridges and quails that showcase nature’s culinary artistry.
Stuffing, once an innocent accompaniment, only exacerbates the problem, prolonging the turkey’s cooking ordeal. The result? Dry, sawdust-like breasts while the bird’s extremities remain tantalizingly raw.
The Kitchen Catastrophe
Compounding this culinary conundrum is the Thanksgiving tradition of inviting every relative with an oven into the fray. This can lead to an assortment of culinary horrors, thanks to relatives who couldn’t boil water without creating a chemical explosion.
“When cousin Betsy arrives with a vegetable casserole whose ‘secret ingredient’ is mayonnaise,” Towles notes, “one can take no comfort from thoughts of the future.” Once politely praised, Cousin Betsy’s concoction becomes a Thanksgiving mainstay, doomed to haunt you even after her earthly departure.
A Balanced Diet of Sacrifice
Discerning diners may lament the culinary horrors that plague Thanksgiving. But in the realm of art, sacrifices must be made. When Towles’ character Peter requests help with divesting a painting, the narrator agrees to endure a plate of marshmallow-laden sweet potatoes—for a greater cause.
Indeed, the fine arts often demand such culinary compromises. The pursuit of a masterpiece may require an occasional visit to culinary purgatory.
A Thanksgiving Feast Reimagined
For those truly averse to the Thanksgiving gauntlet, Towles offers an alternative solution. Since 1988, he has happily traded the traditional turkey and trimmings for the comforting flavors of a Chinese restaurant on Lexington Avenue, commemorating the Pilgrims’ first American winter in a decidedly modern and delectable fashion.
Amor Towles’ “Table for Two” is a delightful compendium of literary treats that will ignite your taste buds and tickle your funny bone. Its exploration of culinary absurdities and family traditions makes it a perfect read for the holiday season or any time you need a dash of laughter and a reminder that even the most dysfunctional of Thanksgiving feasts can’t extinguish the warmth of human connection.
Data sourced from: cbsnews.com
