Thanksgiving side dishes?

[wshaffer]

My contribution to this year's Thanksgiving dinner this year will be a) my now-traditional chocolate mousse and b) some kind of vegetable side dish that is not squash (because someone else has squash covered). My initial inclination is to do green beans, because I like them, but I have half a mind to do try something new that I haven't made before. Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving side dish that is:
a) based on a vegetable that is not squash.
b) can be made ahead or at the very least can be prepped ahead and just needs to finish cooking on site?

Bonus points if you've successfully fed it to children and/or picky eaters.

Comments

[brooksmoses]

I'm fond of my family's sweet potato casserole recipe (independently handed down from both of my grandmothers!), but that may be a bit similar to squash.

I'll look up the recipe if that sounds interesting. From memory, it's approximately "mash sweet potatoes, mix in some egg and sugar and a few other basic ingredients, put in casserole dish, sprinkle chopped pecans on top, and bake." Or optionally put it in a pie shell, don't decrease the sugar quite as much from the original recipe, maybe leave off the pecans, and make it as a pie. Little marshmallows can also be put on top if one likes that sort of thing.

[wshaffer.livejournal.com]

That sounds really tasty, but for this particular meal, probably too similar to the squash. I should get the recipe from you some time, for future reference.

[(Anonymous)]

The kids start asking after the chocolate mousse in October to make sure it is still on the menu

[wshaffer.livejournal.com]

Your kids have me all figured out - like a hero in the Irish sagas, there are three requests I cannot refuse: 1. Can you figure out what is wrong with my computer? 2. Will you help me move this heavy object? 3. Will you make me chocolate mousse?

[(Anonymous)]

Funny. Older nephew just asked if someone can teach him computer programming , does that come under #1?

[wshaffer.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think it probably counts. I'm happy to give it a try, anyway.