Upstate New York Thanksgiving Foods: Spiedies and More

If your Thanksgiving table has room for one more dish, why not make it something with a New York connection? I love the idea of a holiday meal that feels like home, right down to the foods your family looks forward to all year.

Maybe that means spiedies beside the turkey, chicken riggies warming up after dinner, or salt potatoes among the sides. These aren’t Thanksgiving traditions for every family, but that’s what makes this fun. Every family has its own version of the holiday.

Could Binghamton Spiedies Make the Thanksgiving Menu?

In Binghamton, spiedies are a hometown favorite. They’re cubes of marinated meat cooked on a skewer and usually served on Italian bread. The William G. Pomeroy Foundation says the Broome County specialty dates back to at least 1938.

I usually think of spiedies at a summer cookout, but why not bring them out for Thanksgiving? They could be an appetizer before dinner or an easy sandwich for anyone who gets hungry again later. And if your family already serves spiedies on Thanksgiving, I want to hear how that tradition got started.

Chicken Riggies Bring a Central New York Favorite to the Table

Chicken riggies are closely tied to the Utica-Rome area. The dish combines rigatoni, chicken, and peppers, and Oneida County Tourism describes it as native to the area.

A big pan of riggies could be a welcome change from the usual Thanksgiving leftovers. Or maybe it’s already part of your family’s holiday spread. Either way, it’s a reminder that New York has plenty of local favorites beyond the dishes we expect to see on Thanksgiving.

Salt Potatoes Add Another New York Connection

Salt potatoes have roots in Central New York, where the dish is connected to Syracuse’s salt industry. The William G. Pomeroy Foundation says Irish workers in the area brought potatoes to work, helping inspire the local specialty.

They may not be a traditional Thanksgiving side in every home, but I can see why a family might want them on the table. They’re a little different from the usual mashed or roasted potatoes, and they bring a story along with them.

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