The main meal for Thanksgiving is great, but the leftovers that follow are where the real magic occurs. There are sandwiches made with turkey and cranberry sauce, and soup made with turkey stock. The leftover pie — if there is any — can be turned into a milkshake if you're feeling extra adventurous. But what about the mashed potatoes? Giada De Laurentiis might have just the thing.

If you're not familiar with the tasty treat of zeppole, now is the time to get acquainted! This dessert (or snack, if you're lucky) is a deep-fried dough ball. They are kind of like doughnut holes. Sometimes they are stuffed with ricotta cheese, while other times they are simply rolled in cinnamon sugar.

Wait, so what do zeppoles have to do with mashed potatoes? Let's find out.

Giada says you can used leftover mashed potatoes to make this popular treat. In her recipe you combine the potatoes with sugar, butter, vanilla, eggs, flour, baking soda, and salt. Using a one-inch scoop, you simply take the mixture and fry it until it becomes crispy and golden-brown on the outside. You roll the fried dough in even more sugar, and you serve them all with cranberry sauce. Bada-bing you're eating a mashed potato donut hole!

Before you claim all the leftover mashed potatoes to make these joyous recipe, be sure to check with your family. Wars have been started over who ate (or in this case used) the last of the mashed potatoes!

How are you eating your Thanksgiving leftovers this year? Let us know in the comments!