On Thanksgiving, there are certain side dishes that have a cemented spot on the dining table. Stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole—what would the holiday be without these staples? To attempt alteration or removal of them from the menu is a catalyst for rioting among most families. I’ve noticed certain dishes in particular inspire unyielding and equal amounts of loyalty and loathing, which is why Thanksgiving dinner will never be without them.
I never realized how passionate people get about holiday meals until I conducted an informal survey about people’s most-loved and most-hated Thanksgiving foods. It turns out the side dishes that are always contentious at my family’s table ring true for many others. When it comes to these menu mainstays, people either really love them or really hate them—no in-betweens, no mercy.
Jell-O Salad/Ambrosia Salad
One person I spoke with bemoaned the “green Jell-O salad with pineapple and other random floaties in it” that her relative brings every year. Why do people think fruit mixed with Jell-O, marshmallows, or Cool Whip is an acceptable accompaniment to dinner—and worse, that it’s a salad? However, there was a small minority of survey participants who admitted to liking it with their meals.
Photo: rochelle, et. al.(cc)
Mincemeat Pie
This might be a rare treat at Thanksgiving, since most people opt for pumpkin, but it still appears on the table occasionally. Personally, I’d choose almost anything over hard beef fat mixed with spiced fruit and raisins, but everybody’s different.
Photo: VirtualErn (cc)
Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole’s one of those dishes you either really love or really hate. I know there are lots of people who consider green bean casserole essential to Thanksgiving happiness, but along with sweet potato casserole, it was one of the most-reviled menu items among those I asked. Don’t shoot the messenger!
Photo: arnold | inuyaki (cc)
Canned Cranberry Sauce
Okay, I happen to enjoy cranberry sauce (the homemade kind is great, but yes, I will eat the canned variety … it’s Thanksgiving!), but I’m definitely in the minority. Though after a coworker mentioned the creepiness of visible can ridges, I might rethink my allegiance.
Photo: purpleslog (cc)
