It's almost Thanksgiving

[Tab]

And that means turkey...

Every year I've had store-bought fresh (or frozen) turkey - it's all the same breed - Broad-Breasted White (the same way all our ducks are the same Pekin breed).

Last year I decided to try something I've wanted for a long time - a heritage turkey breed. There are many other breeds than the Broad-Breasted White - the BBW is just what the industry moved to to give us all the "large breasted" turkey. Classic breeds like Naragansett and Bourbon Red used to be common on farms, but you won't find them in stores anymore.

I ordered two small (8 to 10) pounders; aside from the fact that they cooked up quickly (my bad), they were just delicious - they had a different flavor, but good, and made an absolutely wonderful gravy.

I would absolutely do it again, particularly if it was a special dinner.

And now, I want to get my hands on some of the other duck breeds besides Pekin...

[mtnester]

1. I started thinking about my menu last night

I love Thanksgiving fare. I like to do a brined free range, corn feed turkey. The family loves it, and it is really not a big deal to get ready.

Decisions, decisions.

[politicat]

2. No gorram turkey.

Neither of us like it much (in the bird form), and with just two of us, it's not worth the effort to cook one. I love turkey salad, but it's just not worth the effort for the turkey salad.

We're thinking right now that we're going to spend the weekend gaming and watching Firefly and me studying for my final in my continuing ed class, so I have this feeling we're going to have a weekend of nachos, crudites, and other junk food.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

3. I'm not big on turkey either.

There's just so danged much of it. And like you, there's just the two of us now.

One year we did tempura & one year I did lobster l'americaine. I can't remember all the other stuff I've done. Just tried something over the top that I'd always wanted to fix, but never had a reason.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

4. I'm really not a big turkey fan,

but one year DH I I raised a half a dozen bronze turkeys. They were really good. We've talked about doing it again, but we would have to stay home for about 3 months to raise poultry & we travel a lot-just overnight, but you really can't go anywhere with poultry.

You're right; so much in the market is there because it grows fast, ripens at the same time, disease resistant, etc. Not because it has a wonderful flavor. That's why I love the farmer's markets. All kinds of heritage fruits & vegetables.

best

[anitar1]

5. I tried Tofurky a couple of years ago.

Not bad but not great either.What I really like is the stuffing and one small piece of turkey.Also love all the other side dishes.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

6. You said you wanted to find another duck besides pekin,

well I just got this months edition of the Rosengarten Report & he raves about ducks from this site.

http://www.grimaud.com/

They are not cheap! And never having had one, I couldn't tell you if it's worth it or not. This is a FWIW kind of post.

best

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

7. kick n/t