Thanksgiving Sides

Jars made for the Thanksgiving table

Thanksgiving tends to fill every burner and crowd every counter, so we built the Thanksgiving Sides collection to shoulder some of that work. When apples, beets, and other produce are at their best, we cook in small kettles on the farm, then jar everything while the colors and flavors are still lively. Amish neighbors and family partners handle much of the peeling, chopping, and steady stirring, treating these batches like the ones they make for their own holiday tables. The ingredient lists stay short and familiar so each jar feels like it could have come from your own kitchen.

Pickled vegetables are often the first to land on the table. Beets, cucumbers, and onions bring a bright note between bites of stuffing, gravy, and potatoes. Bread and butter pickles keep their crunch on relish trays, sharing space with cheese and olives. Many of these recipes overlap with our Ohio Pantry Picks and Great Lakes Favorites, where they show up beside roasts and Sunday suppers all through the year. On Thanksgiving they simply move into a busier company of casseroles and carved meat.

Fruit butters and preserves have their own steady job. Apple butter and spiced spreads from our Fruit Preserves & Jams sit near the bread basket for anyone who likes a sweeter spread on their roll. A spoonful of apple or cranberry based sauce nestles beside slices of turkey or ham, adding a bit of tartness that keeps the plate from feeling too heavy. Because the recipes stick to fruit, sugar in a sensible amount, and simple spices, they work just as well at breakfast the next morning.

Jars of peaches and pears can quickly turn into warm sides when there is not much oven space left. A little butter and a skillet is often enough, or a simple topping turns them into a crisp that fits right in among pies and cakes. Those same fruit jars show up in our Pantry Starter Pack, where they help round out everyday meals once the holiday has passed. For friends and family who host big gatherings, similar combinations appear in our Holiday Gift Boxes, ready to travel to another busy kitchen.

After the main day, these jars go back to work in a quieter way. Pickled beets and cucumbers tuck into leftover sandwiches and share plates with reheated sides. Apple butter and preserves spread over toast, pancakes, or biscuits while the coffee brews. A spoonful of fruit stirred into yogurt or oatmeal carries the same flavors into breakfast. That is where Thanksgiving Sides meets our Holiday Sides & Fixings collection: both are meant to keep the season feeling special for a few more meals without adding more strain to the stove.