jeremy_wayne: @_Zorak_ did you eat any space toast or turkey??
about 2 hours ago
CandidCarrie: @solessence Our Thanksgiving is today. We are non-traditional. Or really far behind. You decide.
about 3 hours ago
ItsBirchum: Best part of today... and the next 3 or 4 days... #Thanksgiving left overs!
about 3 hours ago
johnrieber: @Sman80 COLD!?!?! was that before or after the vodka turkey...which i read someone made and it apparently works
about 5 hours ago
carsonspost: Are slimmer people smarter?: During Thanksgiving day, the average American east 4,500 calories or twice the number ... link
about 6 hours ago
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Thinking of going turkey-less this Thanksgiving? |
 | By Julie Lawrence   OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer E-mail author | Author bio More articles by Julie Lawrence |
| Published Nov. 13, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. |
|
It's now mid-November, so obviously Thanksgiving is coming; it always does. And while I appreciate the time off work and understand the historical context (however skewed it's become over the centuries), I gotta say; the food frankly bores me.
And I don't think I'm alone on this.
Maybe it's because you're a vegetarian; maybe it's because of that sleepy, lethargic feeling it evokes; or maybe you just find the gobbler a little gross. Whatever the reason, there are those among us for which a traditional Thanksgiving dinner leaves us wanting.
That said, there is hope. There's no reason we should shake things up this eating season and think outside the bird. After all, not all historians even agree that the Pilgrims feasted on turkey at the first Thanksgiving in 1621. Then in 1784 Ben Franklin suggested, in a letter to his daughter, the turkey replace the bald eagle as the country's symbol:
"I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America ... He is besides, though a little vain and silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on."
Would you eat an eagle?
Regardless, if you feel like turkey is a tired tradition, here are some alternatives.
1. Whole, roasted salmon
2. An all-Thai Thanksgiving (why not?)
3. The famous Tofurky
4. Slow roasted Pekin duck
5. Beef stuffed acorn squash
6. Hearty winter vegetable burger
7. Vegan loaf
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7 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review. |
Recent Talkbacks ...
Posted by danielnathan on Nov. 17, 2008 at 3:48 p.m. (report)
Turkey Schmurkey! Look at the score, for Christ's sake. It's only the second period and I'm up 12 to 2. Thansgivings come and go, Julie, but Hartford, "the Whale," they only beat Vancouver once, maybe twice in a lifetime.
| Rate this: |
Posted by llpierce on Nov. 16, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. (report)
I LOVE turkey, but since there is only going to be 2 of us this, year, I decided to go for something different. We're going to have a smoked pheasant this year; but ALL the sides will be the same - gotta have my sweet potatoes with the mini marshmallows browned on top! mmmmmmmmmm
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Posted by rkerhin on Nov. 15, 2008 at 9:41 a.m. (report)
I can see my 91-year-old grandmothers face when I tell her "Hey Nana, we are having Chinese take-out this year"! Are you seriously suggesting that we throw away a perfectly good meal that honestly we only have once a year because you are BORED? Thanksgiving is a day for family, for Grandma to fuss about how her turkey turned out, to relax and yes fall asleep on the sofa while everybody catches up on what is happening in their lives. You all strike me as petulant, spoiled, ungrateful people who probably come from very disfunctional families. If that is the case, then I pity you.
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Posted by Joscasta on Nov. 14, 2008 at 7:46 a.m. (report)
I don't like turkey too much. I would prefer a nice honey ham. I wouldn't mind trying deep fried turkey.. I heard that is the popular thing to do now..
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Posted by Gooble on Nov. 13, 2008 at 3:01 p.m. (report)
More turkey, more potatoes, more, more, more! :) Love the bird, hate that I only eat it once per year.
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Show me the other 2 Talkbacks
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