Thanksgiving is a time of celebration, family gatherings, and, of course, delicious food. While the traditional Thanksgiving meal often includes a plethora of rich and indulgent dishes, it's also a great opportunity to incorporate some healthy options into the mix. One such option is a cute and nutritious hummus appetizer spread that can kick off your Thanksgiving meal on a healthy note.

Hummus is a versatile and popular dip made from chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil. It's not only delicious but also packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats, making it a great choice for a pre - meal snack. To make this hummus even more special for Thanksgiving, we can add some seasonal twists.

Ingredients for the Basic Hummus

• 1 can (15 ounces) of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1/4 cup of tahini
• 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 2 - 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

To start, combine the chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic in a food processor. Pulse a few times to break down the chickpeas. Then, with the motor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the hummus reaches a smooth and creamy consistency. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste.

Thanksgiving - Themed Add - ins

Now, let's add some Thanksgiving - themed ingredients to make this hummus stand out. One option is to add roasted butternut squash. Roast cubed butternut squash in the oven at 400°F for about 20 - 25 minutes until it's tender and slightly caramelized. Then, blend the roasted squash into the hummus for a sweet and savory flavor combination. The vibrant orange color of the squash also adds a festive touch.

Another great addition is cranberries. You can use either fresh or dried cranberries. If using fresh cranberries, you can cook them down with a little bit of sugar and water to make a cranberry sauce. Then, swirl the cranberry sauce on top of the hummus. The tartness of the cranberries complements the creaminess of the hummus perfectly.

For some crunch and earthy flavor, you can sprinkle some chopped pecans on top of the hummus. Pecans are a classic Thanksgiving ingredient and add a nice texture contrast to the smooth hummus.

Serving Suggestions

Once your Thanksgiving - inspired hummus is ready, it's time to serve it. You can present it in a cute and festive way. For example, you can use a round serving dish and arrange the hummus in the center. Then, surround the hummus with a variety of dippers. Some healthy dipper options include carrot sticks, celery sticks, cucumber slices, and whole - wheat pita chips. These dippers not only add to the nutritional value of the appetizer but also look colorful and appealing.

You can also get creative with the presentation. For instance, you can use a turkey - shaped cookie cutter to cut out turkey shapes from the pita chips and place them on top of the hummus. This adds a fun and holiday - appropriate element to the appetizer.

In conclusion, this cute and nutritious hummus appetizer spread is a wonderful way to start your Thanksgiving meal. It combines the flavors of the season, is easy to make, and is a hit with both kids and adults. So, this Thanksgiving, skip the heavy and greasy appetizers and opt for this healthy and delicious alternative.