When you hear Thanksgiving, most people associate it as an American and Canadian holiday; and though it is not considered as a holiday in Belize, Belize does celebrate Thanksgiving! It is very similar to the US and is also celebrated in November.
Thanksgiving is a special time for family and friends who come together to give thanks to the blessings bestowed upon them and also to share an elegant, tasty meal. Likewise, the Americans and Canadians, Belizeans cook up a storm on this day. The most iconic part of the traditional Thanksgiving feast is the turkey and ham which is why you’d often hear a Belizean say “Turkey Dinner” and not Thanksgiving Dinner. While the typical rice and beans is a part of this meal, Belizeans incorporate their own twist to the dish by substituting marshmallow sweet potatoes, vegetables and pumpkin pie with potato salads, cranberry sauce, stuffing and desserts including either Fruit-Cake, Rum-Cake, Carrot Cake or Bread Pudding.
Many restaurants in Belize cater to a large number of American tourists and locals in the city, Cayo, Placencia, and San Pedro by preparing a special Thanksgiving meal.
If you’re in the area, take a look at a few restaurants you can visit to get your Thanksgiving dinner fix!
Belize City
Cayo District
Placencia
San Pedro
Written by Vivian Lizarraga
