Wake up, Taft! One of the greatest holidays of the year is coming up, and no, I don’t mean Hanukkah, Christmas, or even the peculiarly named “Eat a Red Apple Day.” While those all have their own charm, I’m talking about Thanksgiving: a day filled with warmth, gratitude, and, of course, delicious food.
Let’s be honest. When you sit down on Thanksgiving Day and find yourself surrounded by family, friends, and almost a dangerous amount of casseroles, self-control is basically out of the window. Enter the food coma, that almost inevitable sleepy, satisfied haze where all you can do is melt into the couch and question your life decisions. In trying to avoid this, the challenge of choosing what, out of all the delicious goodness, to eat arises. That’s where this article comes in. By the end of it, you’ll know exactly which dishes are worth the stomach space.
Turkey:
If there were an award for “Most Variable Dishes,” turkey deserves to be nominated at least once. It takes forever to prep, even longer to cook, and it still somehow manages to come out dry half the time. Everyone knows turkey is difficult, but maybe that’s what makes it so special. There’s something rewarding about putting hours of effort into roasting this oversized bird, and the smell alone is absolutely divine. Even if it doesn’t turn out perfectly, it’s the kind of dish that makes all the chaos worth it, so grab a slab of meat, lather on the sauce of your choice, and dig in.
Mashed Potatoes:
Okay, hear me out on this one. Stay away from these. I know they’re good. I love them too! I even get assigned mashed potato duty every year, and I’m proud to say that I make a pretty killer batch. This isn’t biased — the survivors can confirm. But here’s the thing: you can get mashed potatoes anywhere. They’re not exactly the most popular dish at Thanksgiving, and no one is going to fight you, tooth and nail, for the last spoonful. Save your stomach space for something else, but feel free to come back to it later (if you’re still standing, that is).
Dinner Rolls:
These are terrifying. They’re dangerous, and they are your enemy. Being soft, golden, and buttery, they have that perfect crisp edge yet fluffy inside that makes you want to eat five before someone notices. But beware — too many, and you’ll be out of commission before you even make it to dessert. Bread is always the hardest thing to resist, and we all know it. Still, the best move is to save them for last. Trust me, those last few dinner rolls you shove down your throat will be the greatest blessing until your stomach realizes what you’ve done.
Vegetables:
Are you kidding? Sure, they’re considered a Thanksgiving “staple” when in the form of a casserole, but who cares? More importantly, who has room for green beans? Maybe just squeeze a few onto your plate to make the adults happy.
Pie:
Pumpkin pie is, hands down, the undisputed champion. It’s creamy, lightly spiced, and the very definition of fall in a single bite, so what’s not to like? Apple pie is a close second, but only when it’s served warm. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and suddenly you’ve achieved tart, cinnamon-sweet perfection. And then there’s pecan pie. Listen… not everything drenched in sugar automatically means it’s good, and pecan pie is no exception. The avid pecan pie lovers may call me out on this one, but it’s basically like trying to eat glue — a behavior we’ve all been told not to do.
