Thanksgiving: Arguments Against "Authenticity" Put Into Practice...

Although I regretted missing out regular Thanksgiving meal with the superb hosting of regular readers MJD and JRD, we for the first time hosted Thanksgiving for my girlfriend's family. My feelings on turkey having long been on the record we weren't going to put a lot of weight on traditional Thanksgiving cusine, so instead:

• Beef Wellington with red wine reduction [or: vegetarian Wellington]
• Mushroom bread pudding
• Maple-glazed carrots
• Cauliflower braised with white wine, anchovy, capers, and garlic
• Butter lettuce salad with hearts of palm and shallot vinegrette
• One Girl pumpkin whoopie pies and chocolate cream pie
  
• Hors d'oeuvres: tomato and basil bruschetta, goat cheese-stuffed dates, vegetable platter
  

Best argument against tradition I can muster. Hope everybody's Thankgiving was equally tasty and convivial!

...A commenter reminds us of this Calvin Trillin classic.