The image of a golden roasted turkey on the dining table has become a symbol of Thanksgiving. Behind this dish are some interesting stories.
Turkey is a familiar dish that appears on the banquet tables of families during Thanksgiving, primarily in the United States and Canada, celebrating a bountiful harvest and giving thanks to God. To this day, the origin of the turkey dish remains controversial with many hypotheses.
Americans enjoy poultry that is affordable but must be plentiful enough to serve a large family.
Before the 19th century, Americans did not have the practice of raising cattle for meat, so no one wanted to butcher cows during the holiday. Chicken was valued more highly, but male turkeys tend to be tough, and hens are needed for egg production. Venison was also an option, but not every family could hunt before the holiday. Pork is not considered suitable for a special occasion.
Thanksgiving originated in 1621, with a feast held at the Plymouth Colony where the first settlers from England came to settle in America. They invited the Wampanoag people to join in a celebration of a successful harvest. This year, the holiday falls on November 26.
Delicious roasted turkey. (Photo: walmartlivebetter.ca).
The history of turkey at Thanksgiving has not been clarified. No one knows exactly why this bird was chosen as the traditional dish, but historians have several hypotheses. From letters written by early settlers to America, the historic meal between the pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe included venison and a type of poultry. Later, this meal became known as the first Thanksgiving.
Historians have not determined what type of poultry was used in this meal, but a letter from Edward Winslow mentions a previous turkey hunt.
Another hypothesis about the turkey dish at Thanksgiving relates to Queen Elizabeth I. In the 16th century, a Spanish armada sank while attempting to attack England. It is said that Queen Elizabeth received this news while dining. She was so pleased that she requested an additional roasted goose to be served.
Some historians believe that the early settlers were inspired by this event and roasted a turkey instead of a goose. This choice makes sense since turkeys are native to North America. Even “The Father of America,” Benjamin Franklin, wanted to designate them as the national bird.
The turkey pardoned by President Obama. (Photo: Daily Mail).
Today, turkey is an indispensable dish in American households during Thanksgiving. An interesting White House tradition is to pardon a turkey before the holiday. In 2009, President Obama pardoned a turkey named Courage. Courage was taken to Disneyland and became the guest of honor at the Thanksgiving parade at this famous amusement park.
To celebrate Thanksgiving, U.S. Presidents have maintained and performed the annual turkey pardon ceremony, but most of the turkeys do not survive for long. Due to the feeding practices of farm owners, they become too fat to fly or move, and their organs do not function well, so after a period following the pardon, they often die.
| Turkey is a domesticated bird of the wild turkey species (Meleagris gallopavo) that has been raised as poultry for food supply. Turkey meat is particularly popular in Western countries. In Vietnamese, they are called “gà tây” because they were introduced to Vietnam from Western countries. Turkeys are native to America and are now raised in many countries around the world. Turkey meat is commonly used by Americans and people in Western countries for roasting dishes, and today, they are widely used for Thanksgiving or family gatherings. |
