Which Thanksgiving Foods Do Students Actually Like?
-Ella Rataic

Which Thanksgiving Foods Do Students Actually Like? I Asked Around.

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. Not because of the food, but because of the family, the cozy, nostalgic feeling, the parade, the colors outside, and the whole idea of “the first Thanksgiving.” Still, this is the one holiday where the menu basically is the main event, which means everyone has strong opinions about what belongs on the table.

So I got curious about what students here actually like, dislike, or feel weirdly passionate about. I sent out a short survey to 14 students across all grade levels. Here’s what they said.

Best Side Dish

Options: sweet potato casserole, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, rolls, cornbread, mac and cheese, green bean casserole
Winner: Rolls

One Thanksgiving Food You’d Get Rid Of

This was an open response.
Top answer: green bean casserole
Some said they wouldn’t get rid of anything. One person even voted off the turkey because the sides are better. Other answers were cranberry sauce, cornbread, stuffing, and squash.

Canned or Homemade Cranberry Sauce?

42.9% homemade
21.4% canned
35.7% don’t like cranberry sauce at all

Do Marshmallows Belong on Sweet Potato Casserole?

51.7% yes
21.4% absolutely not
21.4% don’t like sweet potato casserole

Is Turkey Dry or Flavorful?

64.3% said flavorful
21.4% only eat it on Thanksgiving
21.4% said dry
14.3% don’t like turkey

Best Thanksgiving Pie

Options: apple, pumpkin, sweet potato, pecan
64.3% pumpkin
28.6% apple
7.1% pecan
0% sweet potato

Do You Like Gravy?

78.6% yes
21.4% no

My Take

If I had answered my own survey:
• Best side dish: sweet potato casserole
• One food to get rid of: honestly, no idea
• Canned or homemade cranberry sauce: homemade
• Marshmallows on sweet potato casserole: absolutely not
• Turkey: flavorful (at least at my house!)
• Best pie: depends on who made it :)
• Gravy: not really my thing