Thanksgiving is without a doubt the most American holiday in our history. It is a celebration of beloved foods and traditions, bringing to mind happy memories of good times shared with family and friends.

Because this national harvest celebration is so near and dear to the hearts of Americans, it is no wonder so many of us spend weeks planning this very special banquet.

I look forward every year to the roster of ingredients so ritualized in our Thanksgiving meals. The anticipation of the usual heirloom dishes of cornbread stuffing, butternut squash and mashed potatoes always induce many enduring holiday memories of years past.

However, even though our families expect many of the same dishes prepared from year to year, I always like to add something new and different to the holiday feast. It’s also a bonus when this new dish is particularly attractive and noticed almost immediately by your guests.

This year, in a move to bring the beauty of Fall indoors, I will be serving Mini-Stuffed Pumpkins with a Sausage-Rice-Fruit Medley. This dish will elevate