Gobbling up those leftovers

Congratulations! Thanksgiving was an enormous success, and all you have to do the next few days is… Find something to do with alllllllll those leftovers. Sure, sure, you can whip up the traditional turkey sandwich and chili, but consider some new options, like:

• Turkey enchiladas/casserole. Whether you wrap or layer the turkey, the enchilada sauce and cheese make for a smooth, spicy change. Bonus: One-dish oven meal! Double bonus: You can assemble and freeze a second one for later.
• Potato patties. Sometimes called “fried potato cakes” or “potato fritters,” these are wonderful for—wait for it—BREAKFAST! Yes! Those houseguests who’ve worked up quite the appetite will appreciate a hearty farm-style kickoff to their second day of lounging around. Bonus: Easy, easy ingredients, and ready in about four minutes.
• Squash puppies. Skip right to the deep-frying for this take on the traditional hush puppy. Your squash is already cooked, so you only need to add your favorite ingredients to either spice it up or keep it kid-friendly. Bonus: Also works with leftover mashed potatoes!
• Fried corn. Why simply warm up leftover corn when you can FRY IT IN BUTTER? Corn almost caramelizes with this buttery method. Add a generous shake of pepper and you have a spicy, crunchy side dish to die for. Bonus: Works even better with fresh corn you never got around to cutting off the cob.
• Jam shortbread/bars. You’ll probably never finish that giant jar of blackberry jam you bought for finicky kid-eaters. So why not slather it between buttery crusts and offer it as an afternoon treat? Bonus: Also doubles as a desert.
  
  

So fear not, over-preparers! All those leftovers need not go to waste, nor do they have to be heated up as Thanksgiving II. Just raid your pantry and whip up fresh meals, sides and treats to please everybody. You’re welcome.