The goose is gone bring on the turkey

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), Dec, 2007

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.