| Thank you, Trish Martin in Presque Isle, Maine, for this week's cover image! |
Let’s Talk Turkey!
Have you ever wondered why it’s tradition for Americans to eat turkey on Thanksgiving? The legend goes that the reason extends back to the first Thanksgiving, when Pilgrims of the Plymouth Colony broke bread with members of the Wampanoag tribe to celebrate the newcomers’ first harvest.
While we hate to ruin a really good story, there’s no evidence that turkey was even on the menu. An account by one of the Pilgrims in attendance references “fowl” but doesn’t specify turkey as being served during that historical meal. “Fowl” could have meant any number of birds: chickens, ducks, and geese, to name a few. In fact, it’s just as likely—given the Pilgrims’ access to seafood—that lobster or clams was one of the main courses, along with venison provided by the Wampanoags.
So, why do Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving? The answer is: We don’t really know. There are a lot of theories: Maybe it’s because the turkey was indigenous to North America. Or that one turkey could feed a lot of people. Perhaps it’s because roast turkey was President Abraham Lincoln’s favorite meal—after all, Thanksgiving became a national holiday when he was in office. Pop culture of the time, including Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, introduced the idea of turkey as being a meal saved for a special occasion.
It may be unclear whether turkey was served at the first Thanksgiving, but we will admit that it makes for a pretty great story—and maybe that’s the reason, after all.
Thanksgiving is more than a week out; chances are, you’re already planning your menu. We have the meal covered with our Best Thanksgiving Recipes (including time-tested turkey tips!).
While turkey is the star of (most) Thanksgiving dinners, the side dishes are just as important. And then, of course, there’s the most important part of the meal: dessert. On Thanksgiving, that means pie, pie, and more pie!
There are also a lot of great make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes to make your holiday just a bit more relaxed.
Yams or sweet potatoes—do you know the difference?
Finally, it’s natural to want ALL members of your family to enjoy Thanksgiving, but be careful what you feed your cat or dog from the table!
As certain as the Sun will rise and set each day (and it will—we promise!), The Old Farmer’s Almanac is here for you, now and always.
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