Did You Know?

The first Thanksgiving meal shared between the pilgrim colonists and Wampanoag Native Americans in 1621 included American eels!

Before you add eels to your menu this year, be sure to check NYS Freshwater Fishing Regulations.

When we asked Fisheries staff to share a recipe for a freshwater fish dish they traditionally prepare on Thanksgiving, we were hard pressed to find one, but we did receive a seafood recipe (below).

If you have a traditional freshwater fish dish you enjoy with your family on Thanksgiving and would like to share it with us, email fwfish@dec.ny.gov.

Curried Seafood Pumpkin Soup

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1 chopped onion
• 1 inch ginger root, peeled and diced
• 2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 can (15 ounces) Pumpkin
• 2 tbs lemongrass paste
• 1 can (12 fluid ounces) Evaporated Milk
• 1 10 oz package calamari tubes and tentacles sliced into rings
• 1 8 oz bag cooked salad shrimp

Step 1
Melt butter in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, ginger and garlic; cook, stirring frequently, for 2 to 3 minutes or until tender. Stir in curry powder, salt and pepper; cook for 1 minute.

Step 2
Add broth, pumpkin, and lemongrass; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in evaporated milk. Transfer mixture to food processor or blender (in batches, if necessary); cover. Blend until smooth, return to pot.

Step 3
Rinse calamari and shrimp thoroughly then add to pot. Bring back to boil, turn off heat and serve warm!

Add some salted pumpkin seeds to the top as a garnish and for some crunch. You can also substitute the shrimp/calamari for any seafood or other protein like chicken, etc.

(Photo courtesy of Bettmann Archive/Getty Images.)