Sort of what you are asking–a go-to that we have once a year is what we call “mashed turnip” but is really a rutabaga. Not everyone loves it, but the scent of it simmering on the stove in the morning is the smell of Thanksgiving for several generations.
However, I keep listing rutabaga in my Shop-Rite pickup order, and they keep saying it is not there. I’m quite sure it is, because they always stock up on them at TG, but i think the pickers just don’t recognize it. I’m dying to go in and buy one, but will resist.
So unless we can find at an open air farmer’s market, we may be skipping it this year. So Thanksgiving will smell a little different (plus I love it, and love making potato-turnip cakes out of it for leftovers).
Edit: D reports they found them at farmer’s market, so Thanksgiving is NOT canceled, lol!