Multicultural Thanksgiving includes home-country dishes, traditions

Because of its size, Palomo said she didn't think the turkey would finish cooking in three hours.

For flavor, she seasoned the turkey with "Spanish" spices such as cilantro; cumin; pepper; onions; paprika; and pimentón de la Vera, a smoked pepper.

In Palomo's version of the dessert, she mixes the pumpkin with cinnamon, vanilla, butter, bread and sometimes raisins.

Because he was so new, Lammayot did not know where the closest Asian market was for him to buy the exotic ingredients needed to prepare Laotian food.

Another side dish Lammayot prepares is a beef salad, where he first bakes the beef until it is medium rare, and then he slices the beef into small pieces before placing it in a jar with half a lemon, dried pepper, mint and "palanca" (ginger root).

For dessert, instead of a pie, Lammayot said he prepares "nam wan," which is a liquid made from boiled taro root, tapioca, coconut milk, brown sugar and sometimes banana slices.

For Lammayot, he said his grown-up children play games and watch movies or talk.