Surveys tell us that in the United States, turkey is eaten by 88% of households. But this is Alaska, and our traditional foods are influenced by an entirely different culture. As we think about gathering at the holiday table for this special meal, we look forward to sharing all of these important customs with the people we love the most. This year, make your celebration even more beautiful with fresh flower centerpieces from Bagoy’s Florist & Home.

If you are living in the Aleutian Islands, a traditional Thanksgiving meal may consist of octopus burgers, made from fresh octopi from the local tide pools. And although many Alaskans do eat turkey, the region offers a wide variety of tasty game birds, such as ptarmigan or goose, that hunters can go out and get for themselves!

Even if you do serve a traditional turkey as the entree, there is a good chance that you might have some local favorites on your holiday table as side dishes, These delicacies are made from locally sourced foods. Reindeer stew, moose roast, stuffed moose hearts and raw whale meat served frozen in bite-size pieces are included in the menu in different areas of our state. Herring egg salad is a popular side dish in Juneau, made from local Pacific herring.

One of the most iconic side dishes associated with Thanksgiving is cranberry sauce, which in the lower 48 is nearly always available in a can.  In  Alaska, however, the high bush cranberry is one of the Alaska’s best fruits. Harvested from the late summer through early fall, cranberry sauce made from this local berry is a delicious tradition.

Right here in Anchorage, many families have another Thanksgiving tradition for their holiday table – artistic floral designs from Bagoy’s Florist & Home. We are your hometown flower experts, creating striking arrangements for all of your most cherished celebrations and events. Call us today and order your Thanksgiving centerpiece –  then you can concentrate on what is for dinner!