Turkeys rule, cranberries drool?

November 21, 2023 by
 |  13 Comments  |  Leave Comment

We are two days away from the biggest food holiday in the US. People will gather around tables across the nation to eat a huge Thanksgiving feast, and the majority of those tables will contain turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing/dressing. According to an Associated Press poll, more people say that turkey is their favorite dish (32%) than any of the sides or accompaniments. Second place honors go to stuffing/dressing (19%).

Accidental turkey from Barefoot Contessa Foolproof by Ina Garten

To my astonishment, only 6% of people say that the mashed potatoes are their favorite. Apparently almost no one likes cranberry sauce, leading me to wonder how much of it ends up in a landfill since 80 million pounds of it are served each year. A great divide exists on the sweet potato front, with a slight plurality saying a vehement “no” to marshmallow topping versus those who prefer it. For many years I lived south of the Mason-Dixon line where marshmallows were non-negotiable additions to sweet potato casserole. In the Midwest where I live now, they are favored but not required. Despite this, I’m in the no marshmallow camp. Pumpkin pie was the clear winner for dessert in the poll, followed by pecan pie, apple pie, and sweet potato pie, in that order.

Our household would be outliers when it comes to this poll. We aren’t having turkey, and I would be drawn and quartered if I didn’t make mashed potatoes. My husband eagerly anticipates our homemade cranberry sauce and it’s one of my favorites as well. We’re making a carrot cake for dessert, although one traditional item from this poll, apple pie, will also make an appearance. How do your family preferences fit with this poll?

Category: Holidays & Celebrations

Post a comment

13 Comments

  • Rinshin  on  November 21, 2023

    This year will be the smallest gathering ever for us – just the two of us. I did not want to invite people like I normally do and did not want to go out. But, I am really looking forward to this because in the past, I was exhausted after Thanksgiving was over. This time, no stress, just open a bottle of bubbly and toast to all those we lost in our life and also thank our good life and fortune together. I will still have a turkey, but already rosted whole turkey breasts from Costco and cook my normal sides. But, turkey is my least favorite protein food. I think for Thanksgiving, my favorite is stuffing, cranberry sauce, and any green side.

  • KatieK1  on  November 21, 2023

    I’ve never actually had sweet potatoes with marshmallows and would give them a pass if they were offered to me. Craig Claiborne’s recipe for cooked cranberry relish is a must at our table along with his stuffing. This year it’s tarte tatin again from a Jacques Pepin recipe. We’re foregoing mashed potatoes and having roasted sweet potatoes instead. Sometimes we make pumpkin bourbon pie as well. And Russ Parson’s persimmon salad. My mother used to make a virtually all beige Thanksgiving, but I try to make a more colorful one.

  • LeilaD  on  November 22, 2023

    Not a turkey lover- making curried ham instead. I accidentally started a fight in my work chat yesterday with what I thought was the innocent question “Canned? You don’t make your own?” cranberry sauce, which homemade is my husband’s favorite. I’m in the stuffing camp. Making a maple-pumpkin pie for him, since he loves it, with the compromise of Tollhouse chocolate chip cookies this weekend for decorating for me. For the green thing to trick ourselves into thinking we’re healthy, brussels sprouts with pine nuts and honey glaze.

  • Indio32  on  November 22, 2023

    Noticed this morning on BBC news that a US Govt. Agency was telling people to be careful if they were going to be deep frying their Turkey! =8O

  • lean1  on  November 22, 2023

    Fresh cranberry relish is a favorite of mine. Pumpkin custard for dessert. Turkey is great for leftover sandwiches and soup.
    Happy Holidays to all!

  • lkgrover  on  November 22, 2023

    I go to a friend’s house for Thanksgiving, and I bring the desserts: pumpkin pie/cheesecake, and apple pie. I don’t get to take any leftovers home, so on Friday I will make stuffing and cranberry sauce for myself, because they are my two favorite Thanksgiving recipes (besides the desserts). I grew up eating canned cranberry sauce/jelly, but as an adult I enjoy whole cranberries in a homemade sauce.

  • anya_sf  on  November 22, 2023

    This year we are mixing it up by having ham instead of turkey, but normally we enjoy turkey. Stuffing (usually bread, but this year cornbread) and mashed potatoes are absolute requirements. My husband insists on sweet potatoes with marshmallows (gag), while my son insists on cranberry sauce. Pumpkin pie is also a must, but the 2nd dessert (even when there’s only 3 of us, we have something else too) changes (basic apple pie this year).

  • anya_sf  on  November 22, 2023

    Oh, yeah, a green vegetable too (usually green beans or brussels sprouts).

  • Pennydread  on  November 22, 2023

    We are firmly in the pro-cranberry camp! My husband improves a sauce every year and this year we are making an apple-cranberry pie.

  • demomcook  on  November 23, 2023

    Turkey, cornbread stuffing, fresh cranberry sauce, yes to marshmallows, fresh green beans, rolls, gravy, pumpkin pie and pecan pie.

  • gamulholland  on  November 23, 2023

    We always have turkey, but I don’t eat it— more room for the sides. Including mashed potatoes with salted butter, dressing, homemade cranberry & citrus, and the Martha Stewart green bean casserole from scratch. My late MIL used to do this corn & oyster casserole thing with a cracker crumb topping— and my husband will still make that if his dad or sister is over, but this year one was unwell and the other was traveling, so — no oysters (no great loss.). 🙂

  • sanfrannative  on  November 25, 2023

    Gotta have the turkey! It’s my number one : )
    I adore a homemade cranberry sauce and I guess stuffing is my number three. I know that may be blasphemy but it’s hard to choose from so many delicious dishes…

  • Suitsme  on  November 25, 2023

    It’s all about the cranberry relish, Brussels sprouts (slaw or roasted), sweet potatoes, and apple pie for me. If it was just me, I’d skip the rest.
    Only ate marshmallows on top of sweet potatoes once when I lived in Georgia and that’s enough for me.

Seen anything interesting? Let us know & we'll share it!

Categories

Archives