Friday, June 24, 2011

Thanksgiving in June

Last Thanksgiving, I bought an extra turkey. Turkeys are good, cheap protein. And I thought it would be fun to cook one for something other than Thanksgiving. Since I really needed to defrost the big freezer and the turkey wouldn’t fit in the small freezer, I decided it was time to cook the turkey. (Actually, the kids are going to defrost the freezer. I just haven’t told them yet.)

I was planning to brine the turkey. I've never brined a turkey and it sounded cool--I love to experiment when I cook. However, the kids found out. Ariel said, “You’re going to pickle the turkey?!” I tried to explain that I wasn’t pickling the turkey, but all I got was hostile, betrayed looks from her and the boys. So I decided not to pickle the turkey. I stuffed it with cornbread dressing. I made mashed potatoes from red potatoes—yum, so rich. I made French beans, just barely seared with butter and lemon. Ariel made country gravy. Matt made a tart cranberry sauce using fresh cranberries that I froze at Christmas time. And my mom made a fresh berry trifle.

The scent of turkey cooking was amazing—it made a muggy, overcast, hot June day festive. And since I didn’t use the china, crystal, or the needs-to-be-ironed table linens, it was much easier in terms of preparation.  I’m starting a new tradition, Thanksgiving in June.
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8 comments:

  1. AnonymousJune 24, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    What a fun idea! I love making celebrations for little to no reason. Those often become the best family traditions. And I think I'm going to be chuckling over "pickled turkey" for quite a while now!

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  2. Samantha SottoJune 24, 2011 at 9:17 AM

    Great idea! Anytime is a great time to have turkey - and and to give thanks :)

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  3. Lydia KangJune 24, 2011 at 10:21 AM

    I think that's brilliant! Only, can I come over? You've made me really hungry.

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  4. Andrew McPhersonJune 24, 2011 at 12:27 PM

    It should be Yourwelcomeday.

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  5. KrispyJune 24, 2011 at 3:31 PM

    Cute! Also, this post made my mouth-water. Those potatoes sound divine (I do so love potatoes)! I think it's a good time for lunch now.

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  6. Susan Flett SwiderskiJune 24, 2011 at 3:54 PM

    To me, the very best family celebrations are those enjoyed on a day not dictated by the calendar. No gift is sweeter than one given for no reason on an ordinary day. And no feast tastes better than one on an ordinary day, either. It's the unexpected pleasures that give us the most ... pleasure.

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  7. JudyJune 24, 2011 at 5:47 PM

    I buy an extra turkey in Nov. (when they're cheap) and keep it for BBQing in the summer. It's easy, the house doesn't heat up from the oven...and it's delicious. The only downside is no stuffing, but the turkey is so good!

    We'll have ours when I get around to defrosting our big freezer. (You don't want to lend me a child or two for the job, do you?)

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  8. AnonymousJune 25, 2011 at 4:35 PM

    GREAT tradition!
    But I agree with Lydia. Now I'm hungry. I didn't see pumpkin pie. If I bring one, will you save me a seat?

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