Thanksgiving dinner is conventionally associated with very specific foods. Turkey. Pumpkin pie. Stuffing.
But that's not where every family's tradition begins and ends.
The U.S. is a melting pot. It's all about different cultures coming together with family traditions that blend the best of the old world with customs of the new.
These suggestions from Thanksgiving tables around the country are inspiring proof. We polled Mashable staff to learn how their families celebrate. Kimchi, purple cabbage and arepas are just a few examples that bring a multicultural Thanksgiving table to life.
You might want to try them yourself this year. After all, the blending of American tradition and familial culture often starts with food.
Eastern Europe
The fried foods and pickled vegetables popular in Eastern Europe are tasty foils for the heavy, sometimes bland dishes commonly served at Thanksgiving.
German purple cabbage braised with bacon is a tangy, colorful component to a sea of brown turkey, stuffing and gravy.
Crisply fried latkes can stand in for regular mashed potatoes.
If you save the turkey carcass to make rich, golden turkey stock, the next day you can make matzo ball soup that will make your Bubbe weep with jealousy.
Asia
The spicy, sweet and tangy flavors that cover the Asian continent are actually complementary and even familiar to your Thanksgiving spread.
Korean kimchi adds salt and gentle heat to traditional macaroni and cheese casserole (recipe below).
Make sourcing Thai ingredients and crafting traditional curry your new gravy tradition.
And the next day, leftover turkey fried rice makes short work of your leftovers.
The Middle East
Take a cue from the fragrant spice mixtures, rice and vegetables used in the Middle East to mix up your holiday table.
Persian basmati rice stuffing made with pomegranate paste, goat cheese and turkey stock is a welcome addition to cranberry sauce and gravy.
Skip the tired green salad or Jell-O mold in favor of a refreshing labneh salad with sumac and cherry tomatoes.
If your deep fryer can take it, end the meal with fluffy Egyptian zalabia, and your family will be all "pumpkin who?"
Italy
There are a plethora of Italian thanksgiving traditions, and most begin and end with Nonna.
Ditch the spiced nuts and start with an antipasto platter laden with salami, prosciutto, crostini, olives, cheeses, stuffed mushrooms and anything else that makes you feel like Sophia Loren.
Keep the turkey but ditch the bacon-laden vegetables in favor of super cheesy and vegetarian manicotti.
And no one will mind if you move the apple pie to the side and substitute some tiramisu.
South America
[img src="http://admin.mashable.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/southamerican.jpg" caption="As wise women once sang, "Spice up your life!"" credit="© Tarek Mourad/the food passionates/Corbis" alt="Brazilian bean dish with meat (Feijoada)"]
Head south of the equator to jazz up your Thanksgiving.
The porky, smoky black bean soup known as feijoada is described as Brazil's national dish and is a great starter to your feast.
Argentinian alfajores are buttery dulce de leche-filled cookies that are perfect with that post-meal cup of coffee.
And for a midnight snack, switch up the normal Thanksgiving sandwich for a warm Venezuelan arepa (round, griddled corn bread) stuffed with turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes and anything else you can stuff inside.
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