Thanksgiving for most consists of hot turkey, mash potatoes, stuffing and cranberry sauce, all smothered in gravy. But in Hammonton, NJ there is a different type of gravy: a red gravy.

In Hammonton, Thanksgiving goes back to it’s Italian roots. Throughout the community, raviolis and meatballs are being passed around.

Instead of the classic cuisine Italian- Americans serve up a unique menu.

For junior Reece Petetti, turkey is not the main focus of the meal.

“[My family] eats raviolis, sausage, and drink wine,” she said. “For dessert, we have pound cake and chocolate mousse cake.”

Does the “Italian Thanksgiving” mesh with the traditional view of what Thanksgiving “should” be?

“The Italian Thanksgiving kills the tradition. Thanksgiving is about turkey and apple pie, not sausage and cannolis. Also, that red stuff is sauce not gravy,” said senior Dan MacDuff.

While views on the what is “traditional” for Thanksgiving may be difference, the purpose of the meal is the same: that you enjoy your time with family and be thankful for what you have.