We all have favorite Thanksgiving foods that adorn our tables every year. But throughout the past and present, some weird traditions were started. Some of them will make you want to gag and others will raise your eyebrows. Here are 8 weird Thanksgiving foods that some people are still eating today.
1. Aspic Adventure
Aspic is like a meat or fish jelly surprise. The gelatin is made by cooking down animal bones and skin until it becomes a jelly consistency. These are made in a variety of molds. It’s still popular in France and Eastern European cooking and has made a comeback in the United States in recent years. This is probably one of the weirdest Thanksgiving foods we can imagine.
2. Bologna Cake
Apparently, Bologna Cake was mentioned in the movie Sweet Home Alabama. The classic southern savory cake layers bologna, cream cheese, a grated onion, Worcestershire sauce, and Ritz crackers. It’s often eaten as an appetizer on Thanksgiving. If you really want to go all out, decorate with cheese-whiz.
3. Ham and Banana Casserole
Ham and banana casserole sounds like the epitome of weird Thanksgiving foods. Paula Dean has a recipe for it though. So, maybe it’s good? The recipe calls for layers of bread, ham, bananas, bacon, potato chips, and cheese. Then a creamy sauce is poured over the casserole which consists of eggs, milk, cream, and nutmeg. Some say it tastes like a sweet and savory lasagna, but we’re skeptical.
4. Frog Eye Salad
If you visit Alaska, you may have Frog Eye Salad for Thanksgiving. Most similar to ambrosia, it incorporates small noodles that look like frog eyes. It’s then mixed with marshmallows and creamy pineapple dressing. The dessert salad is not on the top of our list to try.
5. Mincemeat Pies
Mincemeat pies are made with diced beef, beef broth, pickle juice, pineapple juice, and a variety of fruit and spices. Traditionally this is a British dessert, but many of our grandmas made these around the holidays. Some say they can trace back its origins to the Middle Ages. Regardless of it’s history, its definitely an acquired taste.
6. Warm Dr. Pepper
Some people mull their Dr. Pepper for the holidays. The Dr. Pepper is warmed with brown sugar, spices, and fruit for a sweet drink. Some even add rum, called a Schuss-Boomer. This drink was invented in 1958 by Wesby R. Parker, the president of the Dr. Pepper Company. We’ll stick to mulled apple cider.
7. Jell-O Molds
Just about anything can go in a Jell-O mold around Thanksgiving. Some people even make a Jell-O salad. It’s usually a recipe handed down from generations. But does anyone actually like anything with Jell-O? The texture alone makes us queasy.
8. Candy Bar Apple Salad
Another weird Thanksgiving dessert salad is apple candy bar salad. One popular variety uses Snickers. Just add vanilla pudding mix, Cool Whip, caramel sauce, and Granny Smith apples with chopped-up Snickers bars. It sounds far too sweet. But maybe it could work.
Strange Thanksgiving Foods
While this list is far from exhaustive, these 8 weird Thanksgiving foods are pretty out there. There are unusual Thanksgiving foods, and then there are gross concoctions. What’s the weirdest thing that you’ve been served during Thanksgiving? Or are you guilty of loving one of these strange foods?