Many Americans will gather with family and friends Thursday for a Thanksgiving feast. Everyone has a different menu and traditions on the table, but many Thanksgiving meals include a plethora of side dishes. Potatoes, specifically mashed potatoes, are the most important dish for Thanksgiving dinner.
From dry turkey to burnt dinner rolls, there are so many opportunities for Thanksgiving dishes to go wrong. However, a plate of mashed potatoes is a beloved dish, easy to make and hard to mess up. Thus, potatoes are easily the heroes of a Thanksgiving dinner gone wrong.
The American Farm Bureau Federation reports a Thanksgiving meal for 10 people will cost $58.08. This Thanksgiving meal includes turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie mix and crust, sweet potatoes, rolls, whipping cream, whole milk, frozen peas, carrots, celery and fresh cranberries. This meal leaves out regular potatoes, and although grocery prices are still high, potatoes are relatively cheap. A three pound bag of red potatoes at Walmart costs $2.74. A nine ounce box of instant mashed potatoes costs $1.26 at Walmart, an even more affordable option.
In addition to being low-cost, mashed potatoes are also extremely easy to make. As the Thanksgiving cooks are scrambling to perfect the turkey’s seasoning, the person in charge of the mashed potatoes can rest easy knowing they are making a simple dish which will certainly be a crowd pleaser.
To make mashed potatoes, simply peel and cut the potatoes, boil them and then mash them. Then, add seasoning of choice and butter. This can be an even easier experience if one opts to make instant mashed potatoes. Simply combine water, salt and butter and bring the mixture to a boil. Then, add cold milk, stir in the potatoes and enjoy.
There are also many different ways to utilize leftover mashed potatoes. According to a survey by innerbody, 80% of people enjoy eating leftovers. Just like at Thanksgiving dinner, mashed potatoes are the best part of leftovers too. The dish is easy to reheat in the microwave or can be turned into something new such as pierogi, potato waffles or casserole.
A Google Trends map shows that mashed potatoes are the most popular Thanksgiving side dish in five states: Maine, Oregon, Maryland, Montana and North Carolina.
According to Campbell’s Annual State of the Sides Report, more than 55% of people surveyed said they would rather fill their plates with side dishes than with turkey. 60% of people surveyed said they find more joy in cooking side dishes than cooking turkey. Side dishes are clearly the favorite part of Thanksgiving for many, and mashed potatoes should be considered the showstopper of all side dishes.
A beautiful Thanksgiving feast would not be complete without mashed potatoes, but even more so, mashed potatoes should be considered the star of the show, a matter of highest importance. A Thanksgiving feast would not be complete without mashed potatoes.
Elizabeth Talaga is a sophomore studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnist do not reflect those of The Post. What are your thoughts? Let Elizabeth know by emailing her at et029322@ohio.edu
