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November 17, 2005

Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens (Or Murder Most Fowl)

On the third Thursday of November the President of United States traditionally “pardons” the official White House Turkey. Read President Bush’s address pardoning last year’s (2004) turkeys, Biscuits and Gravy.

The US Census Bureau estimates that 263 million turkeys did not share their good fortune.

This Thanksgiving ConAgra Foods celebrates the 25th anniversary of their Turkey Talk-Line. Butterball experts will offer turkey safety tips, recipes, and last-minute substitutions for the culinary challenged. Besides the traditional telephone support, the Turkey Talk-Line will accept email questions and their Web site offers video demonstrations.

For those looking for alternatives to the “commercial turkey” or the “Broad Breasted Bronze”, as it’s known in the poultry world, many local farmers offer heritage or standard breed turkeys.
Heritage breed turkeys differ in at least three ways: They are allowed to breed naturally, their lifespan is seven to nine years versus a mere 15 months for the Broad Breasted Bronze, and they grow slowly.
Heritage turkeys were the standard until the mid-20th century when factory-farmed hybrids where introduced. For a primer on the four varieties with in the breed visit traditionalist William Rubel’s Web site. While there you will also find Eliza Leslie’s 1851 recipe for cranberry sauce and Mr. Rubel’s redaction.

Posted by hinsdalereference at November 17, 2005 7:28 PM