Thanksgiving  Happy Thanksgiving Wishes(22nd November 2012)
From 101lifeStyle.com
Importance Of Turkey:Though there is no real evidence that turkey was served at the Pilgrim's first thanksgiving, but through ages it became an indispensable part of the Thanksgiving tradition. The tradition of turkey is rooted in the 'History Of Plymouth Plantation', written by William Bradford some 22 years after the actual celebration. In his letter sent to England Edward Winslow, another Pilgrim, describes how the governor sent "four men out fowling" and they returned with turkeys, ducks and geese. Unfortunately the Bradford document was lost after being taken away by the British during the War of Independence. Later it was rediscovered in 1854. And since then turkey turned out to be a popular symbol of the Thanksgiving Day. And today of all the the Thanksgiving symbols it has become the most well known.
 Another reason for eating turkey on Thanksgiving dates back to the time of Benjamin Franklin’s who stated that turkeys were “respectable birds”. Franklin thought that turkeys should be the national symbol of America. It is true that, at the time, turkeys were cooked for many special occasions. However, we cannot be sure that this statement started the tradition of eating turkey on Thanksgiving.
Another legend states that Queen Elizabeth The First was eating a roast goose during a festival. She then heard the news that a Spanish ship, which was going to attack England, mysteriously sunk on the way. She then ordered that another roast goose be prepared to celebrate England’s good fortune. Roast goose then became a popular meal at harvest time. The story is that when pilgrims first arrived in America from England they found few geese but many turkeys. Therefore, they started roasting turkey instead as they were found in greater numbers.
Since Turkey is the main dish of the Thanksgiving dinner, Thanksgiving is sometimes called 'Turkey Day'. Most Thanksgiving turkeys are stuffed with a bread-based stuffing and roasted. Sage is the traditional herb added to the stuffing (also called dressing), along with chopped celery, carrots, and onions. Deep-fried turkey is rising in popularity, requiring special fryers to hold the large bird, and reportedly leading to fires and bad burns for those who fail to take care when dealing with a large quantity of very hot oil. In more recent years it is also true that as the wild population of turkeys has rebounded in most of the US, some will hunt and dress their turkey in the woods and then freeze it until meal preparation.
 Since 1947, the National Turkey Federation has presented the President of the United States with one live turkey and two dressed turkeys, in a ceremony known as the National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation. United States associates the holiday with the meal held in 1621 by the Wampanoag and the Pilgrims who settled in Plymouth, Massachussets. This tradition continues in modern times in the form of Thanksgiving dinner, where Turkey plays the central role. Although other kinds of foods are traditionally served, Baked or roasted Turkey is the main feature of the Thanksgiving Feast table. Mashed Potatoes, several stuffings, cranberry sauce, sweet corn dishes, various preparations with Fall vegetables, especially squashes, and pumpkin pies are also associated with the Thanksgiving dinner. 
Thanksgiving Turkey Tips - Buying And Preparing |
