
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 16, 1994                   TAG: 9411160092
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ALMENA HUGHES STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

WHAT, NO TURKEY?

Cloverdale business-writing trainer Priscilla Richardson recently rattled a tradition when she challenged the assumption that Pilgrims held the first American Thanksgiving. In discussing an article that she wrote for the December 1994 issue of "Early American Life" magazine, Richardson said, "Even in Virginia, it's little-known that an officially proclaimed Thanksgiving took place at Berkeley Plantation on the James River in 1619. ... This was well before the Pilgrims even boarded ship for New England."

The rich, expansive menu accompanying Richardson's article was representative of the early 17th-century feast marking the arrival of 38 settlers. Dishes included oysters baked in shells with crab meat and bacon, apple-bourbon soup, various vegetables, roast quail with stuffing and a cream-topped blackberry pie.

Notice anything traditional missing?

Richardson's Thanksgiving menu may not be the only one that doesn't feature turkey. Some folks simply don't want turkey. Others want it, plus a little sample of whatever else is being served, and still others prefer not to have any meat at all. Some people may not even want cranberry sauce, for that matter.

There's no need to get hung up on tradition. Mix and match recipes to your personal tastes and start a tradition of your own.

Recipes for:

ROASTED QUAIL STUFFED WITH WALNUT-SAGE DRESSING

MINI BEEF WELLINGTONS

SWORDFISH, STUFFED SICILIAN STYLE

HERBED VEAL ROAST

WITH APRICOT-THYME CHUTNEY

TAVERN ON THE GREEN'S

ROAST DUCK WITH ORANGES

COLORADO POTATO AND LAMB COBBLER

ALABAMA-STYLE SHRIMP BAKE

PORK CHOPS WITH SPICED PEAR SAUCE

CURRIED SHEPHERD'S PIE

CALIFORNIA KIWIBERRY SAUCE

by CNB