As Thanksgiving fast approaches, here is this writer’s ranking of the essential Thanksgiving foods:

1. Sweet Potato Casserole:

Absolutely, without doubt, the best Thanksgiving food. And elevated with marshmallows, pecans, and brown sugar… By the way, these additions are not optional.

2. Turkey

Thanksgiving is just incomplete without turkey — when prepared well, anyways.

3. Pumpkin pie

It’s not as versatile as other Thanksgiving dishes, but arguably just as good or better than any of them.

4. Mashed potatoes

The perfect side dish. It’s impossible to go wrong with mashed potatoes.

5. Veggies/Corn

These are maybe more “filler” side dishes, but they add color and crunch and are necessary for a balanced, classic Thanksgiving.

6. Stuffing

Stuffing is good, just not good enough to place it higher than the other talented prospects on this list. Certainly a solid side if the texture is right.

7. Rolls ‘n Cornbread

As opposed to other dishes on this list, you don’t really want more than one or two servings of these. They’re a good accompaniment, just not better than other Thanksgiving foods.

8. Cranberry Sauce

I think cranberry sauce compliments almost every Thanksgiving dish well, but it’s too dependent on other dishes to rank highly. Nevertheless, it’s a good addition to any Thanksgiving table.

Note: The Co-Editor-in-Chief would like to register his sincere disappointment that ethereal cranberry sauce was ranked last. Without that most essential source of acidity, that spot of brightness amidst a sea of beige, that crimson savior of dry turkey and fatty stuffing, I fear that Thanksgiving would suffer an incorrigible culinary injury. No amount of gravy could save such a meal devoid of cranberry sauce.