My friends and I have been mentally preparing for Thursday’s Thanksgiving feast, including running through our family recipes and traditions.  In doing so, we found that the Thanksgiving meal we were picturing was all different.  Sure, we expected this when we lived in London and no one had heard of this wacky holiday, or in college where people came from all over, but surely three women raised in one small town would have the same menu in mind… right?

Wrong.

So now I want to know – what’s on your required list for Thanksgiving?  Does it ever change?  Are you allowed to help with the cooking?  Are we the only family that doesn’t religiously eat squash, and can anyone confirm that turkey really is better when deep fried?

Here’s our family menu for 2013:

• Turkey (always)
• Stuffing (always, made with bread, apples, onions, eggs, etc. – no cornbread (!!), no meat (??))
• Mashed potatoes (usually?  I feel like we’ve gone without)
• Gravy (always since Grandma Boo Boo has joined us!)
• Cranberry sauce, homemade AND canned (always)
• NOT broccoli casserole (retired for 2013, though it may resurface at Christmas)
• Caesar salad (almost always)
• At least two kinds of vegetables (always)
  • Butternut squash with kale and pumpkin seeds – recipe here
  • Roasted Brussels sprouts
• At least two kinds of pie (always – I believe that other kinds of dessert are acceptable traditions but should never replace the all-American pie)

What’s on your Thanksgiving menu?  Post what YOU think this meal entails – and your favorite recipes, if you’re willing to share! – below!