Kiitosgiving stuffing

I confidently speak for all Americans when I say the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving table is not the turkey, but rather, the soggy bread mush stuffed inside her. This recipe is an attempt to create space within a long-engrained history of traditional foods (and violence), for new flavors that reflect heritage identities, family landscapes, and respects the values of a plant-based diet.

Behold! Kasviskeskiviikon: Kiitosgiving stuffing.


  Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Patience! Bisse!
  • A friend for moral support!
  • Loaf of bread
  • ½ cup barley
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 red onion
  • 1 cup celery
  • 1 sweet apple
  • ½ cup carrots
  • 2 vegetable bouillon
  • 1 heaping spoonful of thyme
  • 1 heaping spoonful of rosemary
  • salt + pepper, olive oil

Here’s what you’ll do:

  1. Cut bread into cubes. Bake at 150 c until dry/hard (app. 15 mins).
  2. While baking, add 1 bouillon into 1 cup boiling water. Add ½ cup barley. Boil for 8-10 minutes covered.
  3. While the barley boils, dice garlic and onions. Chop carrots, celery and apple.
  4. Sauté garlic, onions and carrots in oil. After 3 mins, add in celery and apple.
  5. Once soft, mix sautéed ingredients in a large bowl with the dried bread cubes.
  6. Add thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper. Mix until well combined.
  7. Dissolve 1 bouillon in 2 cups of hot water.
  8. Once lukewarm, add bouillon water to ingredient mixture. Gently combine.
  9. Finally, add in the cooked barley. Gently combine.
  10. Line baking dish with parchment and add mixture. Cover with foil.
  11. Bake at 175 for 30 minutes. Take of foil, and cook for another 10 minutes.

Now, listen. You’ve just made some herkullinen af stuffing. Kiitosgiving rules indicate you must now sit around the table, holding hands, and take turns saying what you’re grateful for, but- Alternative option: 1) Locate your nearest American, 2) give them a hard time about how Thanksgiving is portrayed by Hollywood, 3) then invite them to your table, and exchange stories of traditional foods important to both of your families.

If you tried the recipe and thought it’s weird and cool, let us know here: https://blogs.helsinki.fi/hyy-ymp.

If you tried the recipe and thought it’s weird and gross, maybe don’t say anything?