Junior Naira Ali

Along with enjoying cultural foods on Thanksgiving, junior Naira Ali and her family serve unique takes on classic American dishes.

“My family gets regular Thanksgiving foods, but we also keep cultural food on the table. My favorite dish is Kashmiri-style paneer. We also change up the mashed potatoes and make spicy mashed potatoes, which is my favorite,” junior Naira Ali said.

Paneer is a south Asian cheese dish often served with strong sauces, spices and broths. Ali, whose family is from the Kashmir region, combined her culture and American culture to forge new traditions and recipes.  

“The importance of Thanksgiving to me is spending time with my family. It makes me happy to embrace my culture while at the same time still celebrating different holidays,” Ali said.