Thanksgiving is the Holiday, but Turkey Is The Real Deal

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When you think of cooking a turkey for a meal, the one meal everybody thinks of is the Thanksgiving Dinner—sharing that time with family and friends. While that table is covered in food dishes that we all love and brings back good memories, why is that turkey so famous for that one day and not the rest? We all know it is nutritional and tasty; is it due to the time it takes to prepare and cook such a large dish? Perhaps that is it. In our busy lifestyles, we just do not have the time to spend 4 days thawing a turkey and then preparing it. Cooking one seems like it could take a few hours longer than we have after work. Actually, there is no reason not to eat turkey weekly. In most markets, you can buy turkey packaged just like chicken. If you are a drumstick person, get only those. If you are a white meat person, you can have the breast bone-in, boneless, tenderloins, and even pre-sliced medallions. So let's dive into what type of turkey you should/can buy.

The Types of Turkey 

The whole turkey comes in many styles. 

The conventional frozen turkey that you see everywhere in stores generally has been injected with a solution to help keep it moist during the cooking process. Some come injected with butter to assist with cooking also. When one is labeled as Fresh Turkey, that does not necessarily mean that it has never been frozen. This refers to it not having anything added to the animal before purchasing. 

Basically, it is just like the conventional frozen turkey with most fresh turkeys coming in packages looking precisely like all the rest with nothing added. One that is labeled Natural refers to how the animal was raised back at the farm. But the government has no guarantee to back up the word "natural" on a label. You must read on to determine if the bird is antibiotic-free, free-range, and/or raised on a vegetarian diet. In certain parts of the world, you buy your turkey based on what breed best suits your recipe, like a heritage breed or even a wild turkey. 

As I stated before, buying this meat could be as stress-free and easy as just getting a pound of ground turkey or breast meat. Turkey can take on spices and seasoning relatively quickly. This delightful food can be used to get a great char flavor from grilling or setting in a smoker while absorbing the sweet smooth smoke of wood-burning. 

The History of Turkey and Thanksgiving

The turkey has grown drastically over the last 20 years to take its place in the food and recipe world. They have not always had the popularity that they endure now. 

Thanksgiving is celebrated in the United States and Canada, revolving around a preciously cooked meal, typically consisting of turkey. Furthermore, there is bread stuffing, cranberry sauce, potatoes, and pumpkin pie, but the most imperative is turkey. 

This type of Thanksgiving originated from the event we know as the "first Thanksgiving," when a harvest feast was shared between the Wampanoag people and the Pilgrims who settled in the Plymouth colony (modern-day Massachusetts). In 1621, the Wampanoag people brought deer to the table while the Pilgrims brought wild "fowl." Historians are uncertain about the exact types of "fowl," as it could have been turkey, ducks, or geese. 

For the Pilgrims, giving thanks to God for everything in their life was not a big deal, and no particular day had been commemorated for that very purpose. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, communities would hold their own unofficial Thanksgiving celebrations. Somehow by the nineteenth century, the dish had gained enough esteem and recognition and was reserved to be served on special occasions as such. The bird was enough for a whole household, and the turkeys were in easy access. Also, the turkeys on a family farm were almost always available. Cows and goats would be raised for milk, and chickens would be fostered for eggs, while the turkeys were only raised for the meat. Thereby, they were readily available. Furthermore, turkeys have always been affordable to everyone. 

Thanksgiving was then made a national holiday by Abraham Lincoln in 1863, recognizing the significance of the day. It was a day for everyone to gather and pay tribute and acknowledgments to God. Edward Winslow had previously written how the Pilgrims had "killed as much fowl," including wild turkeys, in 1621. Since turkeys are distinctively found in the North American region, they achieved traction as the main dish to be served on the day of Thanksgiving. To further highlight the importance of turkey, I would like to quote a saying from founding father Alexander Hamilton. He said, "No citizen of the United States of America shall refrain from turkey on Thanksgiving Day."

The Thanksgiving Tradition and National Holiday

The Thanksgiving tradition solidified over time with the annual Thanksgiving proclamation making the fourth Thursday in November the designated Thanksgiving Day in the United States. This day became an official time for families and friends to gather together to celebrate the bountiful harvest and express gratitude for the goodness of God. Many associate the Thanksgiving feast with classic dishes like roast turkey, cranberry sauce, bread stuffing, and pumpkin pie.

The Thanksgiving Harvest and Cultural Significance

The Thanksgiving harvest festival is rooted deeply in American Thanksgiving history. The celebration is not only about the food but also the communal spirit of being partakers of our plenty alongside family and friends. This harvest feast reflects the collaborative efforts of the Pilgrim Thanksgiving and the Wampanoag people, especially under the leadership of the great King Massasoit, who played a vital role in fostering peace between the two groups. Thanksgiving remains a time to honor that shared history and the many thanksgiving services held nationwide each year.

Why the Turkey?

The turkey became a symbol of Thanksgiving because it was readily available, easy to raise, and sufficient to feed many people. Early English colonists and Captain Edward Winslow’s accounts make special note of the turkey’s abundance. While some accounts mention that the Pilgrims "went out and killed" various birds as part of the feast, the turkey’s size made it the perfect centerpiece. Today, the turkey pardon remains a beloved Thanksgiving tradition, highlighting the bird's special status in American Thanksgiving culture.

Thanksgiving Celebrations: Beyond the Dinner Table

Modern Thanksgiving celebrations include festive activities such as the Thanksgiving Day parade and community Thanksgiving Day services, strengthening the spirit of togetherness. Both the United States and Canada observe national thanksgiving day events, though Canada celebrates on the second Monday in October — highlighting the shared but distinct Thanksgiving traditions in North America.

FAQ

What is the UK's version of Thanksgiving?

The UK does not have a Thanksgiving holiday like the United States or Canada, but the closest equivalent is the Harvest Festival, a traditional celebration of the thanksgiving harvest held in churches and communities throughout the UK to give thanks for the crops and bounty of the season.