Please Explain...

[bjarvis]

What is it about green bean casserole that so enthralls Americans at Thanksgiving?

I just don't get it.

Comments

It's a mystery

[trawnapanda.livejournal.com]

you don't get green bean casserole? I don't get sweet potatoes. at all.

we come from a different culture, m'dear. I think it's one of those things that will forever remain a mystery to us.

[billeyler.livejournal.com]

We'd ask you the same thing about Kawfee Krisps.

The green bean casserole is so overwhelmingly easy to make, but still has the pretense of being a substantial sidedish, that it's become an US icon.

Eh?

[billeyler.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I think you meant "Why does it enthrall allanh so much?" I just giggle when I see it at a potluck, sort of like the tortilla cream cheese green chile rollups that are so prevalent here.

[allanh.livejournal.com]

You'll have to try Paula Deen's version.

I've always made fun of green bean casseroles, but this particular recipe ...

On second thought ...

[allanh.livejournal.com]

I'll see your observation and raise you one:

What is it about Kraft Macaroni & Cheese that enthralls Canadians to the point of becoming an integral part of the Canadian lexicon? ("KD")

[dakoopst.livejournal.com]

I LOVE it!

Love it, love it, love it!

Love. It!

[westwind-mv.livejournal.com]

Part of the mystique is that it's a food we usually only get once a year. For good or ill, it is linked with family get-togethers and the whole holiday mishegas.

For me personally, I love the combination of the creamy mushroom soup base and the starchy fullness of the beans, with a hint of crunchiness from the onions. I didn't have any this year (we had dim sum for Thanksgiving), and I definitely missed it.

[musicbearmn.livejournal.com]

Keith has banned it from our Thanskgiving, so, in at least one Yankee household, it's non existent...

[dendren.livejournal.com]

it's the fabulous crunchy fried onion rings. We're all about the fried. In fact, if we could make green been casserole without the annoying vegetables, that would be even better

;)

Salt and fat delivery mechanism

[greyguy-sf.livejournal.com]

Human bodies love (or crave) salt and fat, and the green bean casserole gives both in quantity. The green beans themselves are just a vehicle.

[paigemom.livejournal.com]

It's an easy, edible vegetable dish. Eating it makes you feel like you've had something healthy with all the potatoes and gravy and pie and whatnot. What more can you ask for?