Preparing Thanksgiving dinner, whether for two or 20, can be a challenge, especially since it requires cooking a large bird that rarely appears on the table any other night of the year. The options are daunting: roasting, deep frying, and the terrifying turducken. To say nothing of your vegan guests. 

But you don’t have to do it alone. Chestnut Hill stores can help. 

Weavers Way Co-op

Whether you want to purchase an entire, prepared Thanksgiving feast, make it yourself from scratch, or a combination of the two, Weavers Way offers organic, vegetarian, vegan and kosher options that will delight your fussiest guests. Those who want to tackle a raw turkey can choose between three brands which are naturally raised and never frozen. 

“Our most popular brand, Esbenshade turkeys, come from a Lancaster County family-run farm founded in 1858. Their cage-free turkeys are free of growth hormones and fed an all-natural vegetarian diet mixture of corn and soy. We are now also offering Howe's turkeys, which will help offset the rising costs of our regular offerings,” said Valerie Baker, assistant store manager at the co-op’s Chestnut Hill market. “Howe's is a family-run farm that raises all-natural turkeys in Downingtown. We also offer kosher turkeys from Empire in Mifflintown which is within our 150-mile radius.” For those who don’t want to deal with the whole bird, boneless turkey breasts are also available.

Creative cooks will find all the ingredients necessary for everything from cheese boards, homemade soups and salads to side dishes and desserts at Weavers Way. But for those who would rather leave the cooking to the co-op’s Prepared Foods Department, Weavers Way offers a tantalizing Thanksgiving take-out menu. The deadline for ordering pies is Nov. 9.

The co-op also will be offering “Turkey Pie” all month long. “It includes just about everything associated with Thanksgiving: turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and brussels sprouts,” -Baker said. We suggest a brisk walk in the Wissahickon Woods to walk this off.

Pre-ordering early online is recommended. For more information, visit weaversway.coop

The Fresh Market

Fresh Market also has the ambitious home cook and the easy-does-it hostess in mind with a choice of raw, organic turkeys, boneless turkey breasts and fully-cooked organic turkeys with all the fixings. The store also stocks brine, brine bags, cheesecloth and cooking twine. The bakery department has a selection of pies, cakes and cookies.

Looking for new holiday recipes? Check The Fresh Market website for tips on making turducken with bourbon and thyme gravy, roast turkey with spiced turmeric honey butter and southern oyster stuffing. For more information, visit thefreshmarket.com.

Acme

Want to serve dinner for six without entering your kitchen? Acme provides the whole spread for $99.99. It includes: a 4-5 pound boneless rotisserie turkey breast, green beans, broccoli au gratin, mashed potatoes or mac ‘n cheese, gravy, pumpkin pie or red velvet cake. It’s a steal any way you slice it.

Just desserts

Bakeries are busy at this time of the year, and Northwest Philadelphia’s are no exception. 

“People are finally getting back to normal following the pandemic,” said Jake Boyd, of Bredenbeck’s Bakery & Ice Cream Parlor.

Starting at the top of the Hill and working your way south, here’s where to go for help with desserts: Cake, 8501 Germantown Ave. (behind Robertson’s Flowers & Events); Bredenbeck’s, 8126 Germantown Ave.; The Night Kitchen, 7725 Germantown Ave,; and The Frosted Fox, 6511 Germantown Ave. Frosted Fox is adding a ginger pear pie to their traditional offerings this year, and new for Bredenbeck’s is a turkey-shaped cake, pumpkin cheesecake, iced thanksgiving cookies, chocolate bourbon pecan pie and apple cider mousse pie. 

Holiday decor

For many, a family gathering is synonymous with a floral centerpiece from Robertson’s at 8501 Germantown Ave.

“Our Thanksgiving centerpieces are available to view now on our website and will be available for delivery beginning Monday, Nov. 17th” said Taylor Ferry, director of sales & operations. “We anticipate making 600-700 centerpieces with lots of seasonal elements, such as mini pumpkins, bittersweet, orchids, orange roses and white kale.” Robertson’s also offers a selection of fresh blooms by the stem for DIY arrangements. 

Prix-fixe dining 

In Mt. Airy, Jansen, 7402 Germantown Ave. does everything but tuck a napkin under your chin. 

“Jansen serves one of the only Thanksgiving dinners—takeout or otherwise—in the city, but many of our loyal guests think it is the best in town,” said Zachary Bourne, the restaurant’s general manager.  

Their gourmet Thanksgiving feast, whether dining in or taking out, offers: butternut squash soup with Chantilly cream, autumnal salad with candied walnuts and maple dijon dressing, roast turkey with savory stuffing and gravy, potato mousseline, haricots verts, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie with bourbon maple whipped cream. Additional menu offerings  include: cheese and charcuterie, single portions of grilled salmon, and a seafood cocktail of oysters, shrimp, crab and lobster. For more information, contact JansenMtAiry.com.

No matter how you celebrate Thanksgiving, the Local wishes you and your loved ones a happy, healthy and safe holiday.