The Belize Collection invites you to join them at their Thanksgiving table this year. If you’re celebrating this holiday in the tropics, chances are that you don’t want to miss out on the best part: the food. Luckily for you, The Belize Collection is providing some menus with so many personalities, it’ll feel like you’re back home!
Choose from the traditional, the new, the stewed…well, no, that’s not how the rhyme goes! However, if you’re staying at The Rainforest Lodge at Sleeping Giant in Cayo, The Lodge at Jaguar Reef in Hopkins, or Umaya Resort and Adventures in Placencia, your holiday dinner is set.
Imagine a stunning holiday that begins with a birdsong alarm at The Rainforest Lodge at Sleeping Giant. Discover the various hidden gems across the expansive grounds of the resort, either hiking or on horseback! At dinnertime, head to the Grove House, where Executive Chef Rahim has designed a modern menu that eschews the traditional, opting for Rosemary & Basil Smoked Duck. Slow smoked whole duck is basted with herb-infused butter, served with cranberry, stuffing and sweet potato sauce. Starters include Bollitos de Calabaza, a play on the Mestizo bollos, using a mix of young pumpkin and corn masa, wrapped on plantain leaf, steamed to perfection then garnished with dried pumpkin seed sauce. Rounding off this unique rainforest menu is a luscious Mascarpone Pumpkin Cheesecake with Caramelized Nuts. Guests also have the option for a Rosemary & Basil Smoked Turkey.
In Hopkins, spend Thanksgiving Day enjoying a trip to one of the many islands off the coast of the beautiful Lodge at Jaguar Reef. Spend the day swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, or even fishing. Should you want a truly unique, cultural experience, book a Garifuna drumming class and feel the heartbeat of this charming Garifuna village. If you prefer to enjoy the stunning resort grounds and amenities, grab a kayak or paddle board and work up an appetite!
At dinnertime, the Paddle House Restaurant’s holiday menu features grilled lamb chops basted with red wine and cranberry paste, among other tasty seasonings. Wilted arugula, roast garlic and a delightful parmesan pumpkin puree rounds out this unique entrée. Starters include a butternut squash, leek, and bacon soup – the ultimate in comfort cuisine! To cap off the night, indulge in a sinfully delicious chocolate pecan pie.
Your stay at Umaya Resort in Placencia is a guarantee for adventure. Its fringe location, with the Caribbean Sea on the East and wild jungle to the West, means you can spend your day indulging in an exhilarating excursion. Fly past treetop canopies while ziplining, or hike and explore the famous Actun Tunichil Muknal caves. Maybe you prefer a sweeter adventure and want to try your hand at Maya chocolate making. There are so many incredible activities you can enjoy while on the peninsula.
After a day of adventure, what sounds better than a Thanksgiving tried and true, with a bit of a Belizean twist? Start off your Thanksgiving meal with a fabulous Cranberry, Spinach and Apple salad, topped with Ricotta. This is then followed with a traditional stuffed turkey – de-boned and filled with Chef Blanka’s homemade stuffing before being roasted to perfection. When in Belize, best believe that the famous coconut rice and beans will make an appearance, as will the ubiquitous potato salad and cranberry slices. Follow up this hearty platter with the classic, apple pie with caramel ice cream.
Under swaying palm trees, or tucked away in the rainforest, Thanksgiving in the Tropics takes on a whole new twist! While Belize does not officially celebrate this holiday, many resorts provide specials for American guests looking to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal. The Belize Collection is no exception, and we invite you to join in celebrating the blessings of the past year wherever you may be in Belize. Bon Appetit!
