Yes:

Homemade cranberry sauce
Champagne
Stuffing (no sausage or cornbread)
Mashed potatoes
A simple green vegetable
Pumpkin pie
Dessert that is not pie

No:

Turkey
Gravy
Sweet potato casserole
Green bean casserole
Broccoli casserole
Corn pudding
Mac and cheese

Take it or leave it:

Salad
Some form of more savory sweet potatoes
Roasted vegetables

I always wish we could do non-traditional takeout instead (we are all vegetarian and like the side dishes but they’re not our typical foods), but the kids insist on real Thanksgiving food.

Anonymous wrote:So we have a problem -- the next generation is 17-30 years old and many are vegan or vegetarians. I set aside unbuttered and unsauced vegetables for them but also get things like grape leaves, tabouleh, and vegetable salads for them from the Lebanese Taverna market.

This sounds delicious!

I wouldn’t feed green bean casserole to my dog. Nor corn casserole.

What does not belong: grocery store pies. Canned yams. Canned green beans. Canned anything, especially gravy.

What does belong: anything made from scratch.

Yes, I know. I'm a food snob. But you asked.

So we have a problem -- the next generation is 17-30 years old and many are vegan or vegetarians. I set aside unbuttered and unsauced vegetables for them but also get things like grape leaves, tabouleh, and vegetable salads for them from the Lebanese Taverna market.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mac and cheese.

That's for cookouts or weeknights.

Agreed, but I feel we will be jumped on for this opinion.

African American tradition -- consider yourself jumped on

Anonymous wrote:Bread rolls. Why in heaven's name do you need a boring filler like bread? Plus, is there some lack of carbs to be made up for Don't think so.

You need bread and rolls as a vehicle to deliver butter to your mouth -- same as every other day.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know this may irritate some, but soda and beer do not belong at the thanksgiving dinner table.

Water- still or sparkling, in a glass, or wine.

Cocktails before dinner, coffee with dessert.

Beer is fine in the other room while watching the football game. But at dinner, I’d prefer not to see your Busch Light can on the table. I won’t say anything of course, but it silently bothers me.

What about beer in a glass? My dad doesn't like wine!

Sure, I let anyone drink whatever they want. Uncle John always has his beer can at the table, but it still gets on my nerves. He's our "Uncle Eddie", so we've all just accepted it.

Hahahahaha

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know this may irritate some, but soda and beer do not belong at the thanksgiving dinner table.

Water- still or sparkling, in a glass, or wine.

Cocktails before dinner, coffee with dessert.

Beer is fine in the other room while watching the football game. But at dinner, I’d prefer not to see your Busch Light can on the table. I won’t say anything of course, but it silently bothers me.

What about beer in a glass? My dad doesn't like wine!

Sure, I let anyone drink whatever they want. Uncle John always has his beer can at the table, but it still gets on my nerves. He's our "Uncle Eddie", so we've all just accepted it.

I don't understand the animosity towards beer. Part of thanksgiving is watching football and drinking beer and then tossing around a football while drinking more beer before eating.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
OK, gotta go glare at the person who's insulting dinner rolls.

Bring it.

People (aka kids) who don't like the strange surroundings, crowds, and food that is not like their parents make it will still fill up on rolls, and that makes the meal more pleasant for everyone.

Plus they're just cozy and soothing for everyone else. You must have a heart of stone not to feel a little love for a hot, homemade roll with butter melting into it.

You're a monster.

Was about to post something similar. Rolls are filler for kids who won’t touch stuffing, sweet potatoes, even turkey. A picky eater with an empty stomach can ruin a holiday meal. Ask me how I know!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know this may irritate some, but soda and beer do not belong at the thanksgiving dinner table.

Water- still or sparkling, in a glass, or wine.

Cocktails before dinner, coffee with dessert.

Beer is fine in the other room while watching the football game. But at dinner, I’d prefer not to see your Busch Light can on the table. I won’t say anything of course, but it silently bothers me.

What about beer in a glass? My dad doesn't like wine!

Sure, I let anyone drink whatever they want. Uncle John always has his beer can at the table, but it still gets on my nerves. He's our "Uncle Eddie", so we've all just accepted it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok can someone tell me what’s up with these creamed onions? Never even heard of them and now I’ve seen them on 2 different Thanksgiving boards. What am I missing/not missing?

Pearl onions in a thick cream sauce. I’m pp who said they are thanksgiving to me, my grandmother from Macon Georgia made them.

Thank you! A sentimental dish. Those are the best.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does belong:

Turkey
Sausage stuffing
Mashed potatoes
Gravy
Homemade cranberry sauce
Green beans in some form
Wine
Pumpkin pie

Does not belong:
Seafood
Things that masquerade as mashed potatoes but are not
Beets -- I don't like food that bleeds

What, mashed cauliflower doesn't taste like the real deal?

Cauliflower
Turnips
Parsnips

Never been so disappointed as when we asked someone to bring the mashed potatoes and they brought mashed turnips.

Anonymous wrote:Ok can someone tell me what’s up with these creamed onions? Never even heard of them and now I’ve seen them on 2 different Thanksgiving boards. What am I missing/not missing?

Traditionally a jar of onions, drained, dumped into a baking dish, covered with white sauce/bechamel, sprinkled with bread crumbs, and baked. Why? I have no idea. I'm a hater.

Various sources will come up with variations on creamed onions (roasted with sherry! baked with brandy!), but it's putting lipstick on a pig. And it takes time that could be spent in a jillion better ways.

Anonymous wrote:Ok can someone tell me what’s up with these creamed onions? Never even heard of them and now I’ve seen them on 2 different Thanksgiving boards. What am I missing/not missing?

Pearl onions in a thick cream sauce. I’m pp who said they are thanksgiving to me, my grandmother from Macon Georgia made them.