Showcasing New York In Your Turkey Day Spread

Another day closer to the biggest 'foodie' holiday of the year...I mean, most holidays end up with family and friends at the dining room table (or the kiddie table where I usually end up), but when it comes to Thanksgiving, the planning, day-of preparation, and the overall holiday ultimately revolves around the food.

With just a few days to go before the big turkey feast, here's a few ways for you to incorporate a taste of the Empire State into your Thanksgiving spread.

What is New York's Must Have/Favorite Side Dish?

Another great debate this season, is the must-have side dishes to accompany your Thanksgiving turkey. While the options are endless, and the recipe variations are plenty, research has shown that the side dish that New Yorker's prefer most is sweet potato casserole.

This year, i'm straying from my New York roots I guess, we don't have sweet potato casserole on the menu; the last few times it was barely touched, so we're opting for just baked sweet potatoes this year.

SEE ALSO: Are These Dishes Banned From Thanksgiving?

Ways To Bring A Bit of NY Into Your Thanksgiving Meal

Whether you're hosting, or just preparing a dish to bring to the holiday table, there's a few ways you can showcase our great state of NY in your recipes/contributions. Consider these options:

Big Apple! NY Apples & Pears

There's an endless number of stuffing recipes out there, but one of my favorites uses cut up apples and herbs. This is the perfect opportunity to use up those apples from your fall trip to the local orchard.

Iloveny.com also suggests using NY apples to make a delicious Thanksgiving leftover Waldorf turkey salad, and comes through with a great looking baked acorn squash with NY apples and pears.

Rounding out the apple portion of the festivities, if you are not so great in the kitchen, why not pick up some local homemade apple cider (or even apple cider donuts) to contribute.

Boozy NY Thanksgiving Additions

You can spice up your homemade cranberry sauce (in addition to the one from the can, with the lines, that you must have on the table no matter what), by adding some NY Port straight from the Finger Lakes.

Again, an option for the 'non-cooks' on Thanksgiving, no shortage of local wineries to grab a nice bottle to bring to the table to share.

Not booze related, but believe it or not, during my research I also came across a recipe posted on Reynolds Wrap (yes, the aluminum foil brand) for a 'New York Style turkey' - is this something you've ever tried?

However you plan to spend it, hosting, cooking, traveling, or simply just there to gobble til you wobble, Happy Thanksgiving!