Humble mashed potatoes, while delicious, hardly qualify as
iconic Thanksgiving fare
. Mashed potatoes have a time and a place. I'll take mine alongside a pork chop or some roast chicken, a few days after I've finished digesting the biggest feast of the year.
Who eats mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving?
CALIFORNIA: Mashed Potatoes
Americans
have been eating mashed potatoes since the 1700s, and they were originally a Thanksgiving staple because potatoes are easy to grow and it's an affordable dish. Three hundred years later, they're more popular than ever.
A traditional Thanksgiving dinner consists of
roast turkey, turkey stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, corn, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie
.
What food group does mashed potatoes go in?
Mashed potatoes are a member of the
Vegetables and Vegetable Products
USDA nutritional food group.
Why do we eat mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving?
Mashed potatoes became an
American staple in the 1700s
. Potatoes are a native North American food that are easy to grow, filling, healthy, and affordable. As far back as 1747, Americans were mashing up potatoes with butter, milk, salt, and cream, and dishing them up on the Thanksgiving table.
What is your favorite Thanksgiving meal?
“My favorite Thanksgiving food is
the turkey
. Growing up, the stuffing was my favorite because it was something that people only ate on Thanksgiving. Now that stuffing is more readily available to enjoy on any day of the year (i.e. ‘Stove Top' stuffing), turkey has become my favorite Thanksgiving food.”
Why do we eat cranberries with turkey?
According to University of Maine Cooperative Extension, American Indians used cranberries as a food source, to dye fabric and as medicine. … Due to the importance of cranberries
in the 1500s
and their abundance, it is believed that the pilgrims and the American Indians would have eaten them at the first Thanksgiving.
Why are mashed potatoes important?
Mashed potatoes benefit your health because they
offer a rich source of potassium
. … Consuming potassium also helps lower your blood pressure and reduces your body's sensitivity to salt, so potassium-rich foods may particularly benefit those suffering from high blood pressure.
Can you eat mashed potatoes on Passover?
But potatoes on Passover don't have to get boring. The average American eats about 140 pounds of potatoes every year – that's a lot. But just think – potatoes can be mashed, smashed, fried, boiled, broiled, grilled, sliced, Hasselbacked, or chopped. No matter who you are,
everyone
enjoys potatoes during Passover.
Can dogs eat mashed potatoes?
Yes! Mashed potatoes are safe for dogs
; however, avoid adding seasonings. Potatoes are rich in vitamin C, vitamin B6, iron, and magnesium. … If your dog has diabetes, potatoes may cause a spike in blood sugar and are not recommended.
What are the 12 most popular Thanksgiving dishes?
- Mashed Potatoes.
- Stuffing. …
- Macaroni and Cheese. …
- Rolls. …
- Cranberry Sauce. …
- Green Bean Casserole. …
- Sweet Potato Casserole. …
- Brussel Sprouts. …
How many side dishes should you have for Thanksgiving?
How many side dishes should you have at Thanksgiving? Lots of them! Of course it depends on how many people you will have at dinner, but the more options you can provide, the better. You want to have
at least 2 of each type of side
– 2 vegetable sides, 2 starches, 2 desserts.
What is the most popular time to eat Thanksgiving dinner?
According to Twitter data reported by Food & Wine, families tend to eat Thanksgiving dinner earlier than later, with most people wrapping up the feast
before 6 p.m.
Are mashed potatoes a grain or vegetable?
The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) in Washington, DC, offers this answer: Since they are good sources of vitamin C and potassium, potatoes are
more like vegetables than grain products
, which is why the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Guide Pyramid groups potatoes with vegetables.
Do mashed potatoes count as a vegetable?
Potatoes fall into the starchy vegetable category alongside green peas and corn. … So while yes,
potatoes count toward your daily vegetable intake
, they should also be considered part of the carbohydrate portion of your meal. Potatoes can be a great alternative to bread, pasta, rice or grains.
Does sweet potato count as a vegetable?
A: Potatoes, yams, cassava and plantain are vegetables, but don't count towards your 5
A
Day. … Other root vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, parsnips, swedes and turnips, are usually eaten as a vegetable alongside the main starchy food in a meal. These count towards your fruit and veg portions.
