According to the Food Network Kitchen’s Top Thanksgiving Recipes in Every State, Minnesota can’t get enough of sausage and herb stuffing. I’ve never heard this before, but I can tell you one thing: stuffing is the stuff of nightmares.
I have never liked stuffing, and just because I live in Minnesota now doesn’t mean I am going to start. In fact, Iowa, where I’m from, lists pumpkin bars as its top food. This is a start.
If you asked me what my favorite Thanksgiving food is, I’d say, “Let’s start with dessert!” or, “Save the best for (eating) last.” First on my list is what I spend the entire meal waiting for: pumpkin pie.
Usually, my family gets our pie from Perkins. This with a large dollop of whipped cream is my favorite part of the holiday. Pumpkin pie is already one of my favorite pies, anyway; I love the flavor because it reminds me of fall, and I like the contrast between the soft pumpkin filling and crunchy pie crust. Also, I’m not a berry pie person, and I don’t enjoy most fruit pies, save citrus ones like lemon and Key lime. Give me pumpkin any day, though it’s most commonly eaten for this holiday.
Similar from a texture standpoint, next on my list is mashed potatoes. I believe that mashing potatoes is the best way to serve them; my mom taught me how to make homemade mashed potatoes, and it’s a staple in our household for meals like fish, chicken and, of course, Thanksgiving dinner.
They are so easy to make, too. You just need boiled potatoes, milk and butter. Everyone should know how to cook them; maybe this Thanksgiving is the time to learn!
You can’t have just pie and potatoes. A vegetable or two should be in the mix, and I suggest green bean casserole and brussels sprouts.
Green bean casserole is a popular Thanksgiving dish, and green beans have always been a favorite of mine, so I enjoy it this time of year. Brussels sprouts are one of my preferred vegetables to eat, and I think they are so underrated; I’ve heard lots of people say they don’t taste good, but it’s all in the way you prepare them. Pro tip: If you don’t like sprouts as they come, try adding a sweetener like honey or brown sugar. It just might change your mind.
And what better time of year than Thanksgiving to gussy up your greens and top them with those fried onions that really steal the show?
This next one might go up or down on the ranking depending on the type, and that’s bread. I love a good roll, though I’ve never baked bread myself. Bread can be a good palette cleanser, so it’s always good to have some on hand while you gobble down your other Thanksgiving faves.
There are also so many categories, like white bread, pretzel bread, whole wheat bread… the list goes on. Each and every kind of bread is great for Thanksgiving, but I prefer traditional dinner rolls.
Last and… well, least, is turkey. I know this is controversial, but I don’t like it. I’ve never been a big fan of meat, and I find turkey to be dry and flavorless, even when seasoned. However, Better Homes & Gardens reports that over 88% of Americans eat turkey on the holiday, meaning 46 million turkeys are consumed each year.
I am of the 12% that prefers not to eat turkey on Turkey Day. While I will eat it if it is the only thing available, I also would eat ham or chicken. It seems less festive, and I guess I am picky, but turkey has to be the lowest of the low on my Thanksgiving ranking. Ham or chicken fall there, too.
For Thanksgiving, I am a sides person; I pick sides over mains any day of the week — Thursday especially!
So if you invite me to a Friendsgiving, just know that you can bring the party as long as I can bring the pumpkin pie.
Bridget Schmid can be reached at schm1520@stthomas.edu.
