Making Thanksgiving Traditions in Connecticut

Making the Thanksgiving meal for two or twenty?  Start with local ingredients from one of these great Connecticut farms, including turkeys (be sure to order ahead). Find a farm near you on this list of farmers' markets or check out CT Grown for local products to help with Farm-to-Table holiday meals.

• Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm, Sterling
• Gozzi’s Turkey Farm, Guilford
• March Farm, Bethlehem
• Clark Farms at Bushy Hill Orchard, Granby, for fresh produce and freshly baked pies
• Holmberg Orchards, Gales Ferry, for wine, cider, vegetables, and more
• Silverman’s Farm in Easton, pies, baked treats, local honey, and syrups
• Maple Bank Farm, Roxbury, for potatoes, acorn and butternut squash, and more

These places put a spin on the traditional holiday meal.

• Bear's Smokehouse in Hartford, South Windsor, New Haven, and Windsor offers take-out options, including whole smoked turkeys, smoked glazed hams, brisket, and baby back ribs.
• Plan a Southern-style Thanksgiving and dine at Black Eyed Sally’s. Their famous cornbread will make a welcome addition to any holiday meal.
• Enjoy a Latin American Thanksgiving at Aurora’s and try authentic Guatemalan dishes like ensalada rusa and more.
• Devour Asian fusion from TAO Mohegan Sun for a different kind of holiday — complete with dumplings and other great twists on the Thanksgiving meal.
• If you like a buffet-style Thanksgiving dinner, try one of these: the Grand Thanksgiving Brunch Buffet at Madison Beach Hotel, or Water's Edge Resort & Spa in Westbrook. 

If one of your Thanksgiving traditions is lacing up your sneakers and running for a good cause, don't fear! Your favorite road race may not be drawing crowds this year, but that doesn't mean you can't still participate. Here are a few Connecticut turkey trots that have gone virtual:

• Manchester Road Race 
• Newtown Turkey Trot 
• Pequot Runners Thanksgiving Race