Written By: Dek S. at Foster City Library
At San Mateo County Libraries, we know that stories don’t just live on shelves—they simmer in saucepans, bake in ovens and get passed down from one generation to the next. This Thanksgiving season, our staff shared dishes that reminded them of home, heritage and the joy of gathering around a table—whether that table’s covered in library books or serving bowls.
From Simmering Pots To Sticky Rice, Every Dish Tells a Story
Across our branches, staff members reflected on the meals that bring them warmth, comfort and connection. Some dishes are rich with family history—others are new traditions born in kitchens full of laughter. Each recipe tells a story—of patience, migration, celebration and love—all flavors of the same library family.
Pozole at Atherton Library
In Atherton Library, Karla brings us the deep aromatic comfort of pozole, a traditional Mexican stew with roots that stretch all the way back to the Aztec Empire. Once prepared for sacred ceremonies, pozole remains a dish of celebrations and community, evolving through centuries and across families. Every bowl tells a slightly different story—red, green, or white, each color representing the region, the family and the cook’s own touch.
For Karla, red pozole made with pork is the one that calls her home. The rich broth, steeped with chiles, garlic and oregano, fills the kitchen with warmth long before it’s ladled out. “Everyone in my family makes it a little differently,” she says, “but no matter who’s stirring the pot, it’s always the same feeling — we’re together.”
The Lighter Step-by-step Instant Pot Cookbook
Postre de Calabaza at North Fair Oaks Library
Over at North Fair Oaks, Jennifer finds her Thanksgiving joy in something sweet: Postre de Calabaza, a cozy pumpkin dessert that comes straight from her mother’s kitchen. “My mother would always make this when November hits,” she shares. “It’s simple, comforting and one of the first dishes she taught me and my siblings to make.” Over time, each sibling has made it their own—a little more spice here, a touch more sweetness there—yet the familiar scent of pumpkin and cinnamon still unites them. For Jennifer, the dish “just screams fall vibes,” a soft echo of family laughter and warm kitchen no matter how the recipe changes.
Dal Makhani at East Palo Alto Library
In East Palo Alto, Khushboo speaks of patience, care and balance—the same qualities they bring to their library work—through their favorite dish, Dal Makhani. This creamy lentil stew, rich with butter, tomato and spices, is slow cooked for more than twelve hours. “Cooking dal makhani is a true test of patience—just like life,” she says. “If you wait and nurture it with care, good things always come together in the end.” It’s a dish that rewards time and intention, a quiet reminder that warmth, whether in cooking or community, is built slowly and shared generously.
No Mai Fan at Pacifica Sharp Park Library
Over in Pacifica Sharp Park, Julia’s Thanksgiving table makes room for No Mai Fan, or Chinese Sticky Rice, a family staple that’s as comforting as it is versatile. “Every year, in addition to all the traditional Thanksgiving dishes, my mom makes no mai fan,” she says. “The fun (and delicious!) part is that you can tailor the ingredients to match your preferences.” In her mom’s version, that means fragrant lap cheung (Chinese sausage), shiitake mushrooms, dried shrimp, green onions, cilantro and just the right splash of soy sauce. Served beside turkey and mashed potatoes, the sticky rice carries the same message Thanksgiving does—that food is meant to bring people together, no matter where it comes from.
Yan Kit's Classic Chinese Coobkook
Buñuelos at Millbrae Library
From Millbrae, Daniella adds a sweet note to the table with Buñuelos, a beloved dessert made from mashed yuca mixed with cheese, rolled into small balls and fried until golden. On the side, she serves a syrup of sugar, water and cinnamon—a simple mixture that transforms every bite into a warm nostalgia. “It’s so yummy and reminds me of home,” she says, “especially during the holidays when sharing buñuelos brings everyone together to enjoy something sweet and comforting.” It’s the kind of dessert that disappears fast—and leaves everyone smiling.
Döner Kebap at Brisbane Library
And in Brisbane, Yasemin celebrates her family’s German-Turkish roots with Döner Kebap—the kind of food that feels alive with movement, color and street-corner vibe. “It’s street food, it’s a bit charred, it’s crispy, it’s fresh, it’s saucy—and oh so yummy” she says. Originally from Turkey but now a beloved Berlin staple, döner has taken on a life of its own, morphing into countless versions—meaty, vegetarian, spicy, mild—each one telling the story of migration, adaptation and home found in new places. For Yasemin, it’s a taste of her family’s intertwined histories, a reminder that identity, like flavor, is never static.
A Shared Table, Many Stories
From pozole to pumpkin, dal to döner, each dish carries history, memory, and love—just like the communities we serve.
This Thanksgiving season, we’re reminded that every story (and recipe) has a place at the table—and there’s always room for one more plate.
Share Your Story
Do you have a dish that tells your story—something that reminds you of home, family or celebration? We’d love to hear about it! Share your favorite dish (and the story behind it) with us in the comments. Let’s keep the table growing, one story at a time.
Add a comment to: Stories That Feed Us: Thanksgiving With Our Library Family