Food is a cornerstone of culture across the EdOdyssey world, shaping how people connect, celebrate, and share traditions. As we’ve experienced on our travels, it is a universal language that can transcend words.

In Peru, communal feasts like pachamanca bring people together to cook, enjoy a meal, and celebrate community. Traditions like a Sunday roast or afternoon tea in the UK are opportunities to gather together around food. We appreciate the Spanish practice of sobremesa, a time for lingering at the table to have a longer conversation after a meal. In Italian culture, food represents togetherness and shared meals are important, from simple family dinners to the grandest of celebrations. 

This time of year in the US, we look forward to sitting around a Thanksgiving table with loved ones, cooking and/or enjoying a lovingly-cooked feast, maybe watching some football, or going on a post-meal walk through crisp fall leaves. We gather not just for food, but for connection and in the spirit of gratitude. 

And so with gratitude for our international community of friends and family and the wonderful meals we have shared with them throughout the years, we thought it would be fun to suggest a twist on tradition with a few international comfort food dishes to make for your own Thanksgiving table this year.

Comfort Foods for Thanksgiving from the EdOdyssey World

CANADA: Poutine

Dish: Poutine is a comforting combo of fries, cheese curds, and gravy.
Why it works for Thanksgiving: It’s rich and savory and can sub in for mashed potatoes.
How to make it, briefly: Start with fries, top with cheese curds, and smother them in gravy.
See a recipe

CHILE: Pastel de Choclo

Dish: Pastel de Choclo is a sweet and savory corn pie made with ground beef, chicken, and olives. It has a corn topping.
Why it works for Thanksgiving: This is hearty food, a casserole-style dish that can replace stuffing, for example, or be served as an additional side.
How to make it, briefly: Layer cooked meat, vegetables, and corn purée in a baking dish. Bake until golden brown.
See a recipe

CHINA: Jiaozi

Dish: Jiaozi are dumplings filled with meat or vegetables.
Why it works for Thanksgiving: These make a perfect appetizer or can be served as a side dish.
How to make it, briefly: Prepare dough, fill it with a meat or veggie mix, and steam, boil, or fry.
See a recipe

IRELAND: Colcannon

Dish: Colcannon is a mix of mashed potatoes and cabbage or kale.
Why it works for Thanksgiving: This creamy comfort food puts a twist on traditional mashed potatoes.
How to make it, briefly: Mash boiled potatoes with butter, milk, and lightly sautéed cabbage or kale.
See a recipe

ITALY: Risotto alla Milanese

Dish: Risotto alla Milanese is creamy and very flavorful and made with arborio rice.
Why it works for Thanksgiving: This dish gives a sophisticated twist on the usual rice or pasta sides.
How to make it, briefly: Slowly cook arborio rice with stock, white wine, a pinch of saffron, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, stirring until creamy.
See a recipe

JAPAN: Tonkatsu

Dish: Tonkatsu are crispy, golden, breaded pork cutlets packed with flavor.
Why it works for Thanksgiving: This could be served as a daring twist on turkey, or as an extra protein alternative for your adventurous guests, (depending on how attached you are to the turkey tradition!)
How to make it, briefly: Bread and fry pork cutlets and serve them up with cabbage and a tangy sauce.
See a recipe

PERU: Causa Rellena

Dish: Causa Rellena is a layered dish made from potatoes, avocado, and your choice of protein. It’s seasoned with yellow chili pepper and lime.
Why it works for Thanksgiving: This makes a refreshing contrast and balance to the heavier Thanksgiving dishes as well as a colorful touch to the table.
How to make it, briefly: Mix mashed potatoes and lime juice, yellow chili pepper, and olive oil. Layer with a protein filling like chicken or shrimp, chill, and serve in slices with avocados and olives.
See a recipe

SPAIN: Papas Arrugadas con Mojo

Dish: Papas arrugadas are small “wrinkly” potatoes with salty skin. They’re served in a traditional Canarian sauce called mojo rojo or mojo verde.
Why it works for Thanksgiving: These are a delicious rustic swap for mashed potatoes, bringing a different texture and flavor to the table accompanied by their tangy and vibrant mojo sauce.
How to make it, briefly: Boil small potatoes in heavily salted water until the skin wrinkles. For dipping, make a sauce from red pepper and garlic or from cilantro, parsley, and garlic.
See a recipe

UNITED KINGDOM: Sticky Toffee Pudding

Dish: Sticky Toffee Pudding is a decadent date cake drenched in velvety toffee sauce.
Why it works for Thanksgiving: Sweet, warm, and indulgent, this is a festive treat for those who aren’t so fond of pumpkin pie.
How to make it, briefly: Bake a date cake and drench it in warm toffee sauce.
See a recipe

And last… not so international, but if we’re looking for a Thanksgiving shakeup, there are also some fun food alternatives on our doorstep. 

UNITED STATES: Lobster Mac and Cheese

Dish: Lobster Mac and Cheese a grown-up take on classic mac and cheese.
Why it works for Thanksgiving: Bring a mix of comfort and elegance to the table with this buttery seafood side that even the kids will love.
How to make it, briefly: Make a creamy cheese sauce, mix it with pasta and chunks of cooked lobster, and bake until golden and bubbly.
See a recipe

We wish you all a memorable and extra flavorful Thanksgiving dinner this year with a touch of experimentation in the kitchen and a warm and wonderful celebration surrounded by the people you love. 

If you incorporate any of our international food suggestions, send us a photo on LinkedIn or Instagram. We’d love to see what inspired you!