If you’ve been reading The E List for a while, you already know that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday (no gifts, no guilt, just food!). My husband is in charge of the bird (now on a brining kick, thank you very much, Alva G.) and his challah stuffing is to die for (recipe here). We don’t change up the menu much, but this year my French relatives are coming for their very first Thanksgiving! I’m not out to kill them with carbs, so I may swap the sweet potatoes (yes, with marshmallows!) for this super simple, make ahead carrot pudding. We get our turkey and vegetables for the big day from White Gate Farm in East Lyme. I asked owner Pauline Lord, who knows absolutely everything about good food, for her Thanksgiving tips. Here’s what she had to say.

love, erica

p.s. My sister makes a fancy, organic cranberry compote every year, but my daughter’s Thanksgiving is all about Ocean Spray. Here she is with her favorite food.