As Thanksgiving approaches, people may realize they’re bored with the same old tired side dishes. Here are a few more creative and refreshing dishes to consider trying this Thanksgiving. 

Lemon Linguine Pasta

Serves 6 

• 4 cups Linguini 
• ½ cup olive oil 
• Zest from 1 lemon 
• Juice from 2 lemons 
• ½ cup chopped green onion 
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley 
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste 
• Parmesan cheese to taste

Cook linguine in boiling salted water until done (usually 9 minutes). Combine the next 5 ingredients in a large serving bowl. Add pasta and toss to coat. Sprinkle over salt and ground pepper. Toss in Parmesan cheese to taste. 

Spiced Roasted Carrots

Serves 4

• 4 cups carrots, scrubbed and sliced into halves (will be about 7-8 medium sized carrots)
• 2 tsp cumin seeds
• 3 garlic cloves, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 2 pinches of red pepper flakes
• Juice of one lime
• 1 tsp honey
• ⅓ cup chopped cilantro (stems and leaves)

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Place all ingredients on a baking sheet, make sure the carrots are evenly coated. Roast for 35 minutes. Halfway through move carrots around with a spatula to cook evenly. 

Fruit Cobbler

Serves 6

• 1 cup sugar
• ¾ cup flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ⅛ tsp salt
• ¾ cup milk
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 stick butter
• 2 cups fresh fruit of your choice (sliced/chopped)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all above ingredients except fruit and butter in a large mixing bowl. Place 1 stick of butter in an 8-12 inch round baking dish then place in the oven. When butter is completely melted, take the dish out of the oven and pour in your prepared mixture, don’t stir. Add your two cups of sliced/chopped fruit on top, no stirring this time either. Bake for one hour. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream. 

A steaming bowl of spiced roasted carrots [Image Credit: Clara Watson]