Make your family's Thanksgiving dinner a meal to remember with some help from Ontario produce. Try these ideas from Foodland Ontario for a fresh twist on your favourite tradition.
Get outside! Whether your clan is gathered for a midday meal or
an evening dinner, enjoy a few minutes outside toasting with a
mug of mulled wine or warm apple cider or taking in the
beautiful fall colours on a family walk. When it's time to
prepare the meal, cut down on kitchen clean up by making a few
dishes on the barbecue. Try wedges of  squash right on the
grill or foil-wrapped sweet potatoes cooked to perfection over
hot coals.
Start new family traditions! Everyone loves creamy mashed
potatoes and candied sweet potatoes. Make room on the table for
new favourites by asking younger or new family members to bring
a starter or side dish. Looking for ideas?
 Try  pumpkin soup, Brussels sprouts with pancetta and balsamic vinaigrette or-to complement a traditional bread stuffing-wild rice mixed with cranberries and sausage.
Save room for dessert. Apple or pumpkin pies are sure-fire
hits. Other great desserts for your Thanksgiving meal include a
pear tart, apple strudel or plum coffee cake.
Love those leftovers! Thanksgiving leftovers are almost as good
as the meal itself. Try turkey soup or make turkey sandwiches
with a spoonful of stuffing and cranberry sauce. For new ideas
for turkey leftovers, try turkey salad or turkey tossed with
angel hair pasta and your favourite vegetables.
Maple-candied sweet potatoes
Thriving in the sandy soils of the county, you can now see this
light copper skinned variety of potato appearing in local farm
stalls. They are an excellent source of vitamin A, a good
source of vitamin C and potassium.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 1-1/2 hours
Serves six to eight
Six large sweet potatoes (about 5 lb/2.2 kg) peeled and
quartered
1 cup (250 mL) apple cider
2/3 cup (150 mL) maple syrup
2 tbsp (25 mL) butter
1 tsp (5 mL) salt
Garnish:
1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped fresh parsley
1 tbsp (15 mL) fresh lemon or lime juice
In large pot, cover potatoes with water. Bring to boil; reduce
heat and simmer about 12 minutes or until almost tender. Drain
in large colander; let cool enough to handle. Slice each piece
in half and place in nonstick 9- x 13-inch (24 x 34 cm) baking
dish.
In small saucepan, combine apple cider, maple syrup, butter and
salt; bring to boil.
Pour over potatoes; Bake in 325F (160C) oven for 1-1/2 hours,
gently turning and basting occasionally.
Garnish: Mix parsley with lemon juice; sprinkle over
potatoes.
