Great Thanksgiving Vegetable Side Dishes

Green beans, wax beans, long beans, or Romano beans all work beautifully in this recipe. Beans, olive oil, garlic, salt, a splash of water, and bit of time is all it takes to make these lusciously tender and flavorful braised green beans. A fresh departure from the classic green bean casserole.

This easy method of shredding brussels sprouts and quickly cooking them over high heat with a bit of flavoring is endlessly flexible (and sure to win over avowed brussels sprouts-haters!). There are several variations at the end of the recipe, too.

Brussels sprouts are sauteed to bring out their nutty flavor and then mixed with walnuts for a simple Thanksgiving side dish in this quick, ultra-healthful recipe. This dish is good hot or warm, and can be kept warm for up to an hour by simply covering with foil and setting aside in a warm kitchen. Since the recipe is also easy to double or triple, it also makes a great addition to the holiday table.

Butternut squash is the queen bee of winter squash. Why does everyone love it so? Color and taste, to be sure, but its rind is also easier to cut through and peel than many squashes, and its texture less fibrous or stringy. In short, it's the gateway squash, the squash for people who aren't so sure they like squash. This stir-fry takes full advantage of butternut squash's sweetness, and leaves its luscious texture intact, ready to savor. The spicy backnote of this stir-fry adds a little kick to the traditional Thanksgiving table.

Thinly slicing and slowly cooking the cabbage and onions brings out their essential sweet nature, and makes a mellow, warming side dish for the Thanksgiving meal.

Caraway seeds and a splash of vinegar make sharp and colorful red cabbage a delicious - and beautiful - addition to any Thanksgiving menu.

A gratin is just a dish, usually of vegetables, that are topped with cheese and/or bread crumbs or nuts and baked or broiled. Some gratins include a liquid with the vegetables - cream or broth - but others are "dry." This cauliflower gratin can be served hot, warm, or even at room temperature – making it perfect for Thanksgiving when the oven is often full or dishes need to be carried across town to the table of friends and/or family.

By cutting the corn off the cob with a large-hole grater, this recipe takes full advantage of the creamy, milky texture of fresh, sweet corn. If you've never made a souffle before, try it - they're an easy way to enjoy fresh produce and quality eggs. It may surprise souffle newbies, but the souffle-experienced know this to be true: a fallen souffle is just as delicious as a freshly risen one. May that decrease any stress you may feel this Thanksgiving!

Spaghetti Squash is roasted, scraped into thin strands before being mixed with a jalapeno-infused cream sauce, topped with cheese, and baked until bubbling and brown. A delicious side dish for anyone at Thanksgiving, or a vegetarian main dish if that's what you need.

These golden coins of carrots rounds cooked with a bit of cumin and plenty of ginger add some life and freshness (not to mention color!) to the classic Thanksgiving menu.