Best Vegetable Side for Xmas dinner?

December 17, 2022 2:01 PM

What's your favorite vegetable side to bring to Xmas dinner? I don't know what the main will be, so any and all suggestions are welcome. No dietary restrictions, though we don't like peas. There'll be 6 adults total. Thanks folks!
posted by cozenedindigo to Food & Drink (22 answers total)

I like mashed potatoes, waldorf salad or ambrosia. Do salads county under vegetables?
posted by NotLost at 2:12 PM on December 17, 2022

This mashed potato recipe. The bomb. (I don't use the seasoned salt, just regular salt.)
posted by BlahLaLa at 2:18 PM on December 17, 2022 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Oh, forgot to mention: mashed potatoes are already taken care of. Thanks!
posted by cozenedindigo at 2:22 PM on December 17, 2022

These sweet potatoes are so good. They would likely be great with dairy milk and butter instead.
posted by hydropsyche at 2:24 PM on December 17, 2022

Simply cooked green beans topped with fried shallots and chopped hazelnuts. Delicata squash half rings roasted with warm spices like cumin and cinnamon, drizzled with pomegranate molasses or balsamic vinegar. Slow cooked collards, soul food style. Tender buttered leeks with thyme and marjoram. Red cabbage shredded and simmered with apples, caraway, and cider. Glazed carrot coins with orange zest and juice and fennel seed.
posted by Mizu at 2:35 PM on December 17, 2022 [2 favorites]

This roasted, spiced cauliflower is fantastic.
posted by FencingGal at 2:37 PM on December 17, 2022 [2 favorites]

Love a simple spinach salad with orange segments and dried cranberries, dressed with a vinaigrette of 0.5 Tbs olive oil, 2.5 Tbs orange juice, 1 Tbs honey, 0.5 Tbs brown sugar, salt &pepper. So tasty and festive.
posted by evilmomlady at 3:36 PM on December 17, 2022 [2 favorites]

I like beets for winter holidays, though they are divisive. This recipe is nice; especially if you add the pistachios.
posted by the primroses were over at 3:53 PM on December 17, 2022

Roasted asparagus with olive oil & parmesan cheese
Green Bean Almondine with extra almonds & a splash of lemon juice
posted by belladonna at 4:22 PM on December 17, 2022 [1 favorite]

We made this green beans with preserved lemons and pine nuts recipe for thanksgiving. Fresh and bright and delicious.
posted by oneirodynia at 4:45 PM on December 17, 2022 [3 favorites]

I like roasted butternut squash with cranberries, onions, and sage. Here's one recipe. Also, kale parmesan salad.
posted by pinochiette at 4:54 PM on December 17, 2022

Ton of great ideas here, but I'll offer my favorite: carote in scapece, from classic Italian chef Marcella Hazan. Very easy, very different, with an herby tangy flavor..

Bring water to boil in a large saucepan or stock pot. Peel 2 lb. carrots and slice into 1/4-inch discs. Boil 3-4 minutes, drain, and rinse with cold water.

In a large frying pan or saucepan, heat 1T olive oil over medium-high heat. Add carrots, 2 cloves garlic, chopped, and 2T dried oregano (yes, it's a lot). Saute carrots for 5-8 minutes until nearly tender, then pour in 1 cup red wine vinegar. Let the vinegar come to a boil and then lower heat to simmer for another 8-10 minutes or until carrots are cooked but firm, stirring occasionally. Serve hot or at room temperature. Can be made a head and reheated or brought to room temp later.
posted by underthehat at 7:20 PM on December 17, 2022 [1 favorite]

Grandma always made roasted Brussels sprouts, which were delicious. Also scalloped corn. I’m a sucker for green bean casserole, myself.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:58 PM on December 17, 2022

Serious Eats' roasted brussels sprouts with maple browned butter are the best holiday side dish ever. Or if someone else has monopolized the oven, Eat Live Run's caramelized brussels sprouts which are made on the stovetop.
posted by capricorn at 9:07 PM on December 17, 2022

Roasted root vegetables - carrots, potatoes, parsnips, turnips, radishes, the more the better.
posted by Candleman at 9:55 PM on December 17, 2022 [3 favorites]

Braised red cabbage is pretty common in the UK. It has a natural sweetness, but note that it tastes 100% better the next day.
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 8:40 AM on December 18, 2022

So many good ones! I'll add roasted parsnips with honey or maple syrup, and chili. A dash of balsamic vinegar is nice to finish.

And if you want to get fancy, this Hasselback Squash is spectacular and super tasty. You can Hasselback all kinds of things (potatoes, beets), it's a great festive method for veg.
posted by tardigrade at 10:36 AM on December 18, 2022

Shredded or shaved Brussel sprouts sautéed with chopped bacon. Add a little salt and red pepper flakes. If you can buy the Brussel sprouts pre-shredded it's the easiest side-dish ever and always a hit (with non vegetarians.)
posted by egeanin at 12:12 PM on December 18, 2022

The first time I made these brussels sprouts for Christmas was probably ten years ago--they have been demanded at every holiday since. I also add a tiny sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg, but otherwise keep it exactly this simple. They are transcendent.
posted by dizziest at 3:51 PM on December 18, 2022

Does corn count?

My whole family loves this corn casserole.

I step it up by mixing in cheddar cheese and sprinkling some green onions on top.
posted by Marky at 4:05 PM on December 18, 2022

We're having creamed spinach and roasted fennel.
posted by sarajane at 12:03 PM on December 19, 2022

We will be having boiled potatoes, caramelized potatoes, cooked red cabbage with goose fat and red currant jelly, kale salad with apples and pomegranate, and cauliflower gratin. The cauliflower is a new addition, for those who want a vegetarian option for the main. Traditionally, the kale is creamed, but we did away with that at least ten years ago.

Take a look at the caramelized potatoes. I think they were originally invented as a cheaper version of roasted chestnuts, but they are delicious in their own right. If you follow the instructions and don't panic, they are easy to make.
posted by mumimor at 1:09 PM on December 20, 2022