Need some ideas for an american cultural lunch to present at work

So, my grandmother informed me that canned pumpkin is actually not pumpkin, but butter nut squash. Huh.

Hmm... can butternut squash be labelled 100% pumpkin?

I don't mind using butternut squash if it comes to that 

Hmm... can butternut squash be labelled 100% pumpkin?

In Australia, they call butternut squash butternut pumpkin.  They're related, but an American company like Libby's would not be able to label butternut squash "100% pumpkin."

That said, a butternut squash pie would probably be darn tasty. 

I know...maybe my grandmother is on crack??? I looked at a can that my mom has and it makes a big deal about saying it's 100% real pumpkin. Maybe in the olden days Libby used butternut squash?? Or maybe it was half and half??

I've had a pumpkin pie made with fresh butternut squash and it was delicious! The only way I knew it wasn't pumpkin was because she told us!

I've had a pumpkin pie made with fresh butternut squash and it was delicious! The only way I knew it wasn't pumpkin was because she told us!

Sounds good! 

I know...maybe my grandmother is on crack??? 

I've heard that too, so I think your poor grandmother is off the hook on the crack front!

I can't attest to the accuracy of this, but the following is an intriguing breakdown of the pumpkin/squash issue:
http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/ingredients-pantry/canned-pumpkin-what-is-it-really-made-of-069123

I've got to say, the lack of canned whatever-it-is is one of the things I worry about with moving to the UK.

This sounds like such a fun time!  I always liked Thanksgiving because of its non-denominational/non-commercial qualities too.

To minimise my work and maximise my crockpot, I've decided to make the following:

Pulled pork
BBQ baked beans
Honey cornbread
Whoopie Pies (because I am totally craving them!)

Just need a veg idea...
Okra and tomatoes?
Greens?
Salad? 

Will touch on thanksgiving in my presentation though 
(Need to get cracking on that)

How about the quintessential Thanksgiving dish:  Green bean casserole made with Cream of Mushroom soup and those crunch onions on the top?

How about the quintessential Thanksgiving dish:  Green bean casserole made with Cream of Mushroom soup and those crunch onions on the top?

Not a bad idea...
Hrmmm

This may just be because he never tries anything new, but my FIL was really tickled when I made corn on the cob.  "Cor!" he said "Just like in the movies!"  Holding the cob with their fingers while gnawing off the corn may be an American experience your co-workers have never had