Hands down, no other holiday compares to Thanksgiving, in terms of food. From the savory turkey legs to sweet pecan pies, one will always be guaranteed a good meal.
Even so, not all foods can be perfect, and some Thanksgiving foods exceedingly outweigh the compliments of others.
When it comes to ranking the different foods present at the table during this time, I must say that pumpkin pie is at the bottom of this list. Anything pumpkin-flavored is ruinous to taste buds. Truthfully, this dessert could be completely forgotten and the meal would still be satisfying without it. With its creamy, spice-filled, flaky crust, pumpkin pie must be ranked last.
Right above, ranked is cranberry sauce. This jiggly source is a polarizing condiment that doesn’t seem to match the vibe of flavors given by the other foods. There isn’t much to say other than it simply makes the meal off-putting when added. Though many believe that you can either love it or hate it, I feel that the only correct choice is to hate it.
Next at number eight, is gravy. Not necessarily for bad reviews, but simply because it is not a particular food item that many people crave when it’s time to eat. It is undeniable that many put gravy on their plate but the question is, is it because it’s good or because it’s the savior of anything dry? Just because one might need something in order to better the rest of their meal doesn’t make it particularly the best.
Following right behind is sweet potato casserole. For some reason, I continually question whether or not potatoes should have marshmallows on them–and the conclusion I have come to is no. Though many like the idea of sweet and savory mixing, it is without a doubt that the two should be separated.
Having the two personalities co-reside with one another allows for a distasteful sensation that is ultimately cloying. However, it’s not too overwhelming that it’s inedible and I even notice myself reaching for this dish before I’ll ever touch something like pumpkin pie.
Due to similar reasoning, stuffing is ranked next. Here, I have it placed above sweet potato casserole simply because it usually sticks to the savory taste instead of mixing with sweet. Though this may seem like a controversial placement, since so many aspects are put into stuffing that make it “great,” this is ultimately the reason for being placed so low.
Like before, there are multiple flavors in stuffing that it’s hard to pick out what is truly good in it and what is truly bad. Though many love to indulge in the dish, it can become too overwhelming and frankly, I can only eat so much of it before I get sick of it. Therefore it must reside in the lower half of the top ten.
Now that the poll is working its way to the top five, one must realize that these items are all great personal favorites of many. Though they may seem out of place, nothing can deter these rankings from the fact that they are true placements.
At number five is mashed potatoes. These may be considered as simple but they are so satisfying. Considered as a universal comfort food, it seems impossible to have them placed any lower. When paired with everything else brought to the dinner table, they simply hold Thanksgiving together, complimenting every single dish. Without mashed potatoes, there would be a sense of uneasiness knowing that something is lacking at the meal.
Getting higher and higher in the ranks, above mashed potatoes, and what might be shocking, is turkey. Turkey is undeniably the star of the show when it comes to Thanksgiving. Without turkey, there essentially is no Thanksgiving. It’s like having Christmas with no tree.
However, can one say it is necessarily the best meal? Yes, turkey is essential to the holiday itself, but there are too many other dishes that bring such a delightful flavor that outweigh turkey’s prominence.
Third, one of my ultimate favorites is green beans. There is just something about green beans that makes a vegetable taste so good. It provides a break from the heaviness presented at a Thanksgiving meal–carbs, proteins, sweets–and invites a sense of freshness into it. Sadly, they rarely stand out at family functions simply because they are vegetables. However, this does not take away from the savory clean flavor it provides, making it undeniably indulgent.
Though many would expect it to be number one, from all of its different baked styles to the creamy layer of cheese mixed within, ranked number two would be mac and cheese. This irresistible outlier is a staple, like turkey, to the Thanksgiving meal. It bridges the gap between indulgences and comfort food, making it perfect for everyone. Not only does this dish reach impeccable taste as just plain macaroni and cheese but when added toppings such as bacon, ham and breadcrumbs are provided, the dish only gets better and better. One can never go wrong when baking mac and cheese, it is perfect in every aspect of itself.
Shockingly though, it is not number one and it simply can’t be because there is one dish that many take for granted. Some don’t even realize the true delight they face when eating it until they accidentally leave it out of the meal. The worst feeling at a Thanksgiving meal is when one is fixing their plate and notices that there are no rolls.
Just as essential as turkey, they are a reliable sidekick to the main dish that many dread to see gone but somehow still take for granted. There is something so comforting about a piece of bread to go along to soak up your gravy or eat alongside your casserole. They might not necessarily be fancy or steal one’s eye at the dinner table but they allow for the meal to run smoothly. Basic yet essential, they help the other factors of the meal burst with its bold flavors.