Mashed potatoes are a staple of Americana. They appear at every holiday gathering from Thanksgiving to Easter and everywhere in between. But so often they come out a gummy mess, either too salty or bland, and so often just filler for the main course.

But sides like mashed potatoes don't have to play second fiddle to a main course. If anything, they should be sharing the responsibility. And in this season of tubers, what makes the perfect mashed potato?