Move Over Turkey, Make Room for Seafood this Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a holiday all about the comfort of family, friends and food. Though turkey is the traditional centerpiece of the holiday, it isn’t the only meat that deserves a place at the table.

Check Our Some of Our Recipes – Adding a seafood dish to your Thanksgiving spread is a wonderful way to add a fresh new flavor to your holiday meal. It is also a great way to cut out some calories and add more nutritional value to classic comfort foods.

Seafood is light, easy to prepare and full of valuable nutrients. It is a great source of heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids, protein, selenium, vitamin D, and vitamin B. Best of all, shellfish and fin fish are low in calories. The Calorie Control Council has estimated that most Americans eat approximately 4,500 calories during their Thanksgiving meal between dinner and drinks. That is more than twice the amount of calories recommended per day! Substituting seafood to replace sausage, bacon or ham in your side dishes is a good way to make your Thanksgiving dinner a little lighter without giving up the foods you love.

Here are a few of our favorite seafood recipes for the holiday:

Lobster with Seafood Stuffing

Here on the east coast, it isn’t uncommon to see lobster next to a turkey at the big meal. Genius Kitchen’s stuffed lobsters can rival even Martha Stewart’s turkey.

 http://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/lobster-seafood-stuffing-25012

Lucy Buffet’s Cornbread Oyster Dressing

Cornbread dressing is a sweet and savory side dish. Swapping out oysters for sausage is a perfect way to make this side dish healthier without sacrificing flavor. We love this recipe from Jimmy Buffet’s sister Lucy at the New York Times.

https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016944-lucy-buffetts-oyster-dressing

Pumpkin Ravioli with Creamy Crab Sauce

Pumpkin ravioli is a traditional Thanksgiving dish for many Italian Americans. A creamy crab sauce is a fresh alternative to the traditional sage-brown butter sauce it is often served with.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/258024/pumpkin-ravioli-with-creamy-crab-sauce/

Lobster Mac with Cheddar & Gruyère

Homemade mac and cheese is one of the most decadent holiday sides that even novice cooks can resist. Sweet Paul Magazine’s lobster mac recipe takes the indulgence to a new level.

http://www.sweetpaulmag.com/food/lobster-mac-with-cheddar-gruyere

Stir-fried Green Beans with Shrimp and Garlic

What holiday feast would be complete without a flavorful side dish of green beans? Traditional green bean casserole is packed with unnecessary calories. Food & Wine magazine’s stir-fried green beans with shrimp and garlic is a refreshingly low calorie replacement packed with flavor.

 http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/december-2007-stir-fried-green-beans-with-shrimp-and-garlic

If you want to give your guests something to munch on while they wait for the meal to start, these seafood appetizers are perfect:

Pumpkin-Shrimp Bruschetta

This fall twist to a classic appetizer from Better Homes & Gardens is perfect for the holiday. The pumpkin and goat cheese spread is creamy and light.

http://www.bhg.com/recipe/appetizers-snacks/pumpkin-shrimp-bruschetta/

Rosemary Garlic Flatbread with Spicy Tuna Salad

If you are looking for an easy appetizer, nothing can beat Better Homes & Gardens’ rosemary garlic flatbread with spicy tuna salad. Simple and satisfying, it is a great starter that will give all your guests a little metabolism boost.

http://www.bhg.com/recipe/rosemary-garlic-flatbread-with-spicy-tuna-salad/

Do you have any seafood recipes that are a part of your Thanksgiving tradition? Share them with us in the comments below! Check out our Pinterest board, if you’re looking for more seafood recipes for the holiday.

Stop by our fish counter in Wethersfield, Connecticut to get all the seafood you need for your Thanksgiving feast from the best fresh fish market in Southern New England!