When it comes to Black Thanksgiving, dressing or stuffing is more than a side dish—it's a legacy, a symbol of survival, and, quite frankly, the reason people fight over leftovers. But not all stuffings are created equal.
First up, and arguably the most famous of the bunch, is cornbread stuffing. Based originally on kush, an African dish, cornbread stuffing came from the ingenuity of the enslaved. Seasoned with sage, onions, and often bits of sausage or bacon, it embodies the resilience and the resourcefulness of the Black community.
Next is rice stuffing. Some may refer to this as casserole because the idea of rice as a stuffing leaves them feeling some type of way. Nevertheless, with roots in West Africa, where rice was a primary crop, this stuffing brings a slightly different texture and flavor that Cajun and Creole households favor. It's often seasoned with bell peppers, garlic, and thyme and—if you're lucky—infused with smoked turkey necks or shrimp.
The last and possibly the most… unique is oyster stuffing. Back in the day, oysters were cheap and readily available, even to the enslaved. As a decadent stuffing, it elevates any plate.
Whether your family eats Kush, cornbread stuffing, or rice dressing, there is something undeniable—well, two somethings: Black folks throw down in the kitchen, and these dishes pack love and history into our community.