A Healthy Thanksgiving Recipe to Try This Year

Butternut squash and rice salad is a delicious side dish

Butternut squash and rice salad is a delicious side dish


While Thanksgiving may look different this year, there are plenty of ways to safely celebrate, eat healthy and stay socially connected.


In the spirit of the holiday, consider sharing an easy-to-make recipe — say for a healthy Thanksgiving side dish — with a loved one who cannot be with you in person this year. Use a video conferencing or video chat tool to connect and make that tasty dish together.


From our kitchen to yours, here is a recipe for a healthy Thanksgiving side dish that is not only simple to make, but tasty as well.

Wild rice and butternut squash salad

  • ¼ cup Brussels sprouts (roasted)
  • 1 ½ cups wild rice (cooked)
  • ½ cup butternut squash (roasted and diced)
  • 1 tbsp. slivered almonds
  • 1 tbsp. pine nuts
  • 1 tbsp. dried cranberries
  • ½ tbsp. parsley (chopped)
  • 1 ½ tbsp. Champagne vinaigrette
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)


1.   Combine all ingredients in a bowl and toss until the dressing has coated the whole mixture.

2.   Season with salt and pepper.

3.   Drizzle with roasted red pepper coulis and serve.

4.   Enjoy!

Roasted red pepper coulis

  • 1 cup roasted red pepper (canned)
  • ½ tbsp. honey
  • 1 ½ cups olive oil
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)


1.   Place all ingredients in a blender except for the olive oil and puree till smooth.

2.   Keep blending and drizzle the olive oil into the mix until it turns bright orange.

3.   Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Please celebrate safely

Remember, this year the safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving is at home with the people you live with. Gatherings with family and friends who do not live with you can increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu.


Consider sharing the holiday experience virtually when not everyone can be together. There are plenty of free video conferencing tools to pick from that are easy to use to keep us connected, including Zoom, Skype and Google Hangouts.


If you’re planning to have a virtual Thanksgiving dinner together with family and friends, make it more fun by including remote activities, such as a Thanksgiving crafts for kids, Macy’s Parade watch-along and Thanksgiving games for people of all ages.


Whatever your plans may be, please continue to follow all personal protection measures. Wear a mask, stay six feet way from others who do not live with you and wash your hands frequently.


Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!