While Thanksgiving is an American holiday, Italian-Americans have added a unique flavor to this holiday.

Many, many years ago my husband and I hosted the Laurita Family Thanksgiving. As the day approached I received many phone calls asking if I wanted one person or another to bring the lasagna. I politely told everyone we weren't going to have lasagna that year. You would have thought I had canceled the whole meal!

What had begun as a tradition to stretch the meal among many cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents, had become a dish cooked and then left untouched. The family had grown older. Cousins had married and were hosting their own Thanksgiving dinners. Many in the family were on diets and didn't eat high fat cheeses. Others had become vegetarians, shunning any meat dishes. I had planned a healthy menu with many vegetarian options. Yes, we had a real turkey with Italian Sausage Stuffing. Amazingly we all had a wonderful time, ate a great deal, and enjoyed our lasagna-less Thanksgiving.

There are some standard items found in many Italian-American households on Thanksgiving. You will find turkey (il tacchino), stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, yams, and pumpkin pie.

Before the traditional American foods there is often an antipasto and dessert brings other Italian delights.

Have You Read This Article? Roman Thanksgiving

Thanks giving festivals have been held throughout history. The ancient Romans held an annual harvest festival of thanks.