7 Columbus Day Recipes For A Great Holiday Meal

Columbus Day is a good time to relax and indulge in hearty meals. Whether you want to cook for a group or just yourself, these Columbus Day recipes will surely leave you wanting more.

 

Awesome Columbus Day Recipes to Try This Holiday

Columbus Day does not get the same amount of attention as other federal holidays. While most restaurants remain open during this day, it is still a great time to practice your cooking skills and enjoy home-cooked meals. Here are some delicious Columbus Day recipes you can try over the three-day weekend.

 

1. Buttermilk Cornbread

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 cups self-rising corn meal mix or white corn meal
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 6 tbsp shortening or lard (plus an additional tbsp for greasing the pan)
  • 1 tsp salt

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F and place a 12-inch cast iron skillet inside.
  2. Heat the lard or shortening in a small pan over medium heat, removing when melted.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk and salt. Mix in the flour and corn meal in batches, alternating between each one.
  4. Pour the melted lard or shortening into the batter, combining until smooth.
  5. Remove the heated cast iron skillet from the oven and grease it with the remaining lard up to the sides. Place it back into the oven to melt.
  6. Remove the skillet once again and pour in the batter. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
  7. Cut the cornbread into pieces before serving with butter (optional).

 

2. Bruschetta

If you’re looking for some Columbus Day Italian recipes, bruschetta is an easy one to prepare.

Ingredients:

columbus day italian recipes

  • 1 french baguette
  • 1 large tomato, largely grated
  • 2 tbsp black truffle oil
  • 1 black truffle, shaved into thin slices
  • 1 garlic clove, finely grated
  • Truffle salt
  • Pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Slice the baguette at a diagonal angle into 1/2-inch slices. Let them toast in the oven.
  2. In a bowl, combine the tomato, garlic, truffle oil, truffle salt, and pepper.
  3. Remove the toasted bread from the oven and spread the tomato mix over the top. Garnish with shaved truffle and serve.

 

3. Frittata

Ingredients:

  • italian recipes for columbus day1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup salami, diced
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 can mushroom, sliced and drained
  • 1/2 cup artichoke hearts, chopped and drained
  • 6 eggs
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Black pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  2. In a skillet, cook the salami, tomatoes, artichokes, and mushrooms over medium heat. Grease a shallow 2-quart baking dish and transfer the cooked salami mixture.
  3. In a bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, green onions, garlic, onion powder, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Pour the mixture into the baking dish as well.
  4. Top the dish with mozzarella and parmesan cheese before baking in the oven for 20 minutes or until set.

 

4. Spanish Rice

A lot of people like to prepare Spanish recipes for Columbus Day. Here’s one that’s both easy and delicious.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups uncooked white rice
  • 1 cup chunky salsa
  • 2 tbsp onion, chopped
  • 2 tbsp oil

Directions:

  • In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft.
  • Pour the white rice into the skillet and stir frequently. Once the rice starts to brown, pour in the chicken broth and salsa.
  • Switch to low heat and simmer the rice, making sure to cover the skillet. Allow it to cook until the rice absorbs the liquid, about 20 minutes.

 

5. Pumpkin Gnocchi

Italian recipes for Columbus Day are quite popular, and gnocchi is a classic Italian dish. Instead of using the classic potato, this one swaps it out for pumpkin — perfect for the fall season.

Ingredients:

  • spanish recipes for columbus day1 1/2 cups pumpkin, cubed
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus 1/3 cup for kneading
  • 1/3 cup Grana Padano cheese, finely grated
  • 1/4 cup sage leaves
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 5 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Combine the pumpkin with olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl, making sure the pumpkin is coated. Place the pumpkin cubes on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the pumpkin takes on a golden brown color and is tender.
  3. After baking, remove the pumpkin from the oven and allow it to cool until warm. Then, transfer it to a food processor and puree.
  4. Combine the pumpkin puree with the cheese, egg yolk, and nutmeg in a bowl. Slowly pour in the flour and mix until it forms a dough.
  5. Flour the surface and knead the dough until soft. Cut it into equal pieces and roll each one into ropes about 1/2-inch thick.
  6. Cup each rope further into small pillow-like pieces about 1/2-inch wide. Shape each piece into the classic gnocchi shape using a fork dipped in flour.
  7. Boil a pot of salted water and add the gnocchi a few pieces at a time. Stir the pot every now and then to make sure they don’t stick together.
  8. Wait for the gnocchi to float and rise to the surface. When that happens, allow it to cook for another 30 seconds before removing it with a slotted spoon.
  9. Melt butter in a large saucepan before adding sage leaves. Let this cook for about 30 seconds or until fragrant. Toss in the gnocchi until well-coated.
  10. Grate some cheese on top before serving.

 

6. Scallop Risotto

Scallop risotto may seem like a lot of work, but it’s actually easier than you think. Indulge in this delicious Columbus Day recipe this coming holiday.

Ingredients:

  • columbus day recipes2 cups Arborio rice
  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cup truffle cheese, grated
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 1/2 cup Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, grated
  • 2 tbsp truffle butter
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • Truffle oil
  • Truffle salt
  • 20 scallops
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Fresh black truffle, grated (for garnish)

Directions:

  1. Heat a pan over medium heat and add in the butter until melted. Saute the onions in the melted butter until tender.
  2. Add the Arborio rice and stir in with the onions, cooking for about 2 minutes.
  3. Pour in the chicken stock and heavy cream. Cook and stir using a wooden spoon until it begins thickening.
  4. Turn off the heat and add in the butter and grated truffle cheese. Allow it to incorporate before adding in truffle oil.
  5. Add in the Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and fresh truffle as the risotto finishes cooking.
  6. In a separate pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Cook the scallops in the pan, making sure to space them out about 1 inch apart. Allow the scallops to cook for about 1-2 minutes on each side.
  7. Transfer the cooked risotto to a place and drizzle truffle oil on top. Add in a few of the scallops and garnish with shaved black truffle before serving.

7. Panna Cotta

No meal is complete without dessert. As one of the easiest Columbus Day dessert recipes, this panna cotta will surely satisfy your taste buds.

Ingredients:

recipes for columbus day

  • 8 ounces raspberries, fresh or frozen, plus another 6 ounces for garnish
  • 8 ounces raspberry preserves or raspberry jam
  • 7 ounces white chocolate, chopped
  • 2 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 tsp powdered gelatin, unflavored
  • Fresh mint

Directions:

  1. Puree 8 ounces of raspberries. Combine the puree with the jam or preserves. Divide the puree mixture into two.
  2. At the bottom of six small glasses, spread the first half of the puree mixture. Place the glasses in the fridge while you work on the other part of the recipe.
  3. Combine the powdered gelatin with water in a bowl. Set aside.
  4. Place the white chocolate in a separate bowl. Pour the heavy cream into a saucepan and heat it until it just begins to boil. Then, pour it over the white chocolate. Mix until the chocolate melts completely.
  5. Add in the gelatin and sugar, combining well. Allow the mixture to cool down until it becomes thick and creamy.
  6. Take out the glasses from the fridge and slowly pour the white chocolate mixture over each one. This will create a layer of white chocolate on top of the raspberry puree layer. Place the glasses back in the fridge to let the panna cotta firm up.
  7. Once firm, take the other half of the raspberry puree and distribute it among the glasses. This will create three layers, with the white chocolate sandwiched between the raspberry puree layers. Refrigerate once more.
  8. Remove the panna cotta from the fridge once firm. Garnish with the extra raspberries and mint leaves before serving.

 

A Recipe for Everyone

As you can see, there are a number of Columbus Day recipes you can try this coming holiday. And while some of them require time and work, others are simple enough to not mess up even on your first try.

 

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