When it comes to Thanksgiving, Americans have a lot in common, but a new Butterball national survey found regional differences in the flavors, traditions and recipes they enjoy. Garlic and sage are favorite seasonings for cooks in the Pacific region, with more than 50 percent using a combination of both to prepare their Thanksgiving turkeys. However, South Central cooks prefer to experiment with unique seasonings more than any other region, using rosemary, paprika or cloves to prepare their turkeys.

"We get calls from Alaska to Florida about every conceivable turkey and meal preparation topic," says Mary Clingman, director of the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line (1-800-BUTTERBALL). "Our top questions about thawing and cook times are the same across the country, but we also get many calls from people with great regional recipe ideas. One of my favorite ideas is to use local fruits and vegetables in stuffing and side dishes."

The experts at the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line will be available starting November 1 to answer all your holiday cooking questions. Recipes, tips, how-to videos, turkey calculators are also available at www.butterball.com.

Here are some tips to give your Thanksgiving celebrations a regional touch:• Northeastern Feasts — Many associate the Northeast with fresh seafood, stews and baked beans, but the region is also home to cranberries. In fact, 86 percent of New Englanders list cranberry sauce among the side dishes they are most likely to have at their Thanksgiving dinner. 3 Use fresh cranberries in turkey glazes, chutneys and salads to honor one of North America's native fruits.• Best in the West — Fresh, earthy dishes are preferred in the West, where ingredients range from wild mushrooms and berries in the mountains to pineapple and fish from the Pacific. Add dried fruit, nuts and herbs to multigrain bread for a healthy, West Coast stuffing.• From the Heartland — The Midwest, the "nation's breadbasket," is known for classic dishes using potatoes, cheese, corn and grains. For a hearty holiday side dish, sauté seasonal Midwestern vegetables, top with herbs and grated cheese, and heat until gold and bubbly.• South by Southwest — Cuisine of the South includes everything from decadent ingredients to spicy flavors. For instance, residents of Southern regions are more likely to eat rich pecan pie than any other region. 4 In the Southwest spice is supreme; add flavor to leftovers by making zesty tacos with leftover turkey seasoned with chipotle, corn, pepper, and onion salsa.