The goose is gone bring on the turkey

In the days of yore, families gathered around the Christmas table to feast on home-cooked roast goose, oyster stuffing, plum pudding, and plenty of wassail. Times have changed, though, and so has traditional holiday fare. Turkey (43%) is America's favorite Christmas main dish, according to a national survey conducted by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Bentonville, Ark. Ham (27%) places second, while beef (nine percent), pork loin (three percent), fish (two percent), and goose (one percent) rank far from popular.

Meanwhile, 15% say they will be enjoying more than one main course this year. As for those memorable holiday dishes--many may not be from traditional family recipes, but instead prepared by your favorite grocery, bakery, or dell. Half of the respondents serve at least some pre-made dishes, with desserts topping the list.

Other survey highlights include:

Please pass the carbs. Whether you call it dressing or stuffing, it still is the number-one choice for holiday sides--more than one-third of Americans rate it as their top pick. Mashed potatoes are another popular side dish, taking 32% of the vote. Sweet potatoes/yams (18%) ranked next, well ahead of green bean casserole (eight percent), and cranberries (six percent), proving the nation still loves carbohydrates.

They will never know. After desserts (47%), appetizers were the next most popular pre-made dish (22%), with party platters (19%) a close third. Side dishes (eight percent) and main meals (five percent) were not as popular, which means people still are making part of the holiday meal from scratch.

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America's sweet on ... pumpkin (32%), pecan (19%), and apple (17%) pie, Christmas cookies (14%), sweet potato pie (seven percent), and bread pudding (four percent).

Voted most likely to change. When asked which course they would be willing to alter by adding a new dish to the winter holiday meal, respondents were torn. One-third said they would bring or make a new appetizer and the same amount reported they would mix things up with a new side dish.

COPYRIGHT 2007 Society for the Advancement of Education
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning