I dread any shopping during the holiday season, so I went ahead and bought my turkey today. I prefer fresh, but my little organic frozen turkey was probably fresh a couple days ago and I will take that over crazy day before Thanksgiving insanity any day. Whole Foods had pinned on Pinterest a breakdown of their different types of turkey, and I went there to get this little guy because not only is he organic, he lived a pretty happy life. During his short time on the farm, he was able to roam freely and could even flap his little wings. Now he is in my freezer until Tuesday. Isn’t it so cute and little?
I only buy a breast because I cook it in my Crock Pot and only for four meat eaters. It seems like such a waste to spend time doing all the gross stuff to turkeys that you have to do only to have all the leftovers sit in my fridge for two weeks before I throw them out. In the case of Thanksgiving turkeys, smaller is better in my household.
I stopped by the farmer’s market by my house on my way home to see if they had any greens for me to cook with the salmon I bought at Whole Foods too. They were giving away those little gourds and I thought it would make either a cute small centerpiece on my table or a name card at each seat. I guess we shall see when I get around to setting the table.
At the market, I bought some jalapeno jelly, rainbow chard, parsley, and chives for Thanksgiving. I also signed up for a CSA. What is that? Confederate States of America? Um… no. It stands for Community Supported Agriculture, and basically what you do is pay for a share in a farm’s crops for the harvest season up front so they have money for seeds and whatnot before the farm is making money. Then each week you get a big box of whatever they harvested during the week. I have done this before and it taught me that I love a lot more vegetables than I grew up with. Before my first CSA, I did not know how much I love all greens: collard, mustard, turnip, beet, chard, that beets are delicious, and that potatoes are not the only awesome root vegetable. When I first signed up for it, I imagined a box filled with tomatoes, onion, corn, and potatoes, with maybe some beans thrown in because those are the vegetables I was raised on. The first week I picked up my share, I was so excited and kept imagining all the things I would do with my corn and tomatoes. I cried when I picked up a bag full of what looked like LETTUCE and some smelly herbs. Now, having learned more about the growing seasons in the Chattanooga area, I look forward to those things! Because of that first CSA, I learned that I love greens more than any other vegetable ever, that strawberries are delicious and not always sweet (I had never had one before my CSA because I thought they were sweet!), and that foods can be flavored with herbs instead of the preservative-ridden salty flavors that come out of the expensive shakers you buy at the grocery store. It was a learning experience and I enjoyed every second of it. I have not signed up for a CSA since because I now know what I like and can navigate a farmers market like a pro. I joined today because the people are nice, local organic farmers and the pickup is right beside my house. Now I can not wait until May for it to start!
So let’s talk turkey…
Last year was the first year I ever cooked one. I gagged when I had to clean it, and I gagged when I cut the skin off, but I cooked it in my Crock Pot and it was awesome so the gross parts were totally worth it. I had no idea it was so easy to cook one! Since then, I have made several more just for anyday dinner. It is so easy and so moist and delicious. Why do people go to such extremes to make their Thanksgiving turkey? I have heard people talking about getting up all night to baste it and making all these extravagant flavorings for it. Have fun with being sleep deprived! I am sure everyone appreciates your hand-tied herb bouquet that always leaves remnants that get stuck in your teeth and throat. I stuff the cavity with garlic and butter and I would put my turkey up against anyone else’s. I have not heard any complaints so far.
Maybe you can tell me the point of the little bag of goodies they leave inside a turkey… Seriously, what is that? Who wants to see that? It is so gross to feel around up inside the turkey for that little grab bag of disgustingness. Is it just the sick sense of humor of the turkey processing people? It is so gross! Half of the turkeys I have bought have them and half do not. I much prefer the do nots! It should come labeled on the turkey: Bag of Goodies Free right underneath no antibiotics etc.
I promised a recipe a day from now until Thanksgiving, so here is Day 2 and my Crock Pot Turkey Recipe. I am starting to get excited!
How do you cook your turkey? Do they have local farms and CSAs in your area?
