Saffron Mashed Potatoes
Photo: Ajna Jai / Contributor
Thanksgiving has been my favorite American holiday for a very long time. Just like many other immigrant communities, when I first arrived here as a young bride, I found joy and comfort in joining other Indian families in celebrating Thanksgiving with a potluck of sorts. Sometimes, neighbors invited us over and we experienced local traditions. Cooking turkey was a way of assimilating in the American culture but nevertheless, it was always rubbed with a rich masala or a spicy marinade. Cranberry jelly became cranberry chutney. Turkey often showed up as an aromatic biryani or kebabs. Little kids would run around playing games, and adults would gather over chai or a glass of Scotch to discuss the latest politics back home. Sometimes, the token roast turkey would languish in the corner of the buffet table, which was overrun by curries, pilafs, and other delicacies. It was around that time I discovered mashed potatoes. Today, no holiday table feels right without a big bowl of airy creamy mashed potatoes. I have tried almost every iteration under the sun and on the eve of Thanksgiving, I bring you my current favorite, a light herby saffron potato mash. It’s topped with olive oil, pistachios, and fennel seeds.