Posted on 11/24/2011 11:25:27 AM PST by DogByte6RER
Where Turkey Is The Guest, Not The Entree
(Isabella Colbdorf feeds salad to a turkey at this year's Feeding of the Turkeys ceremony in Watkins Glen, in upstate New York, on Nov. 20, 2011.)
Most people think of turkeys as the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving meal. But at one farm, the turkeys are the guests.
At the 26th annual Feeding of the Turkeys ceremony in Watkins Glen, in upstate New York, a line of turkeys come walking out the door of the barn. They stroll towards long low tables set up on the lawn, with scarlet tablecloths and seasonal squash centerpieces.
There, a feast awaits. There's pumpkin pie topped with cranberry, and platters of green salad — hold the dressing. The spread is surrounded by a crowd of spectators.
"Hi sweetheart, Mommy's here," Jamie Cohen says to one of the birds. She's named her Velma. Cohen lives in Baltimore, and drives five hours one way to attend the feast. She has sponsored one of the diners for years. Her chosen bird died of natural causes last winter. (It costs a one-time fee of $30 to sponsor a bird.) So she's picked out a new brown bird.
"I wanted to pick out a new turkey and she's as sweet as she can be, loves to be petted, loves to be kissed and held," Cohen says.
As you might have guessed, Cohen doesn't serve up turkey at her Thanksgiving meal.
"We don't want to eat them," Cohen says. "They're no different than dogs and cats. They feel pleasure and pain."
The turkey feast is hosted by the Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen. Susie Coston, the Sanctuary's manager, says she wants to show people how to honor the birds that are normally part of Thanksgiving dinner.
"One of the things we try to do is to let people really meet them," Coston says. "They all have names. And they all have personalities. And they all have friendships, and we want people to see them for who they are."
Most of the turkeys chow down on their dishes.
There's one human VIP at the meal: Seth Tibbot, who created the Tofurky. That's exactly what it sounds like — a "turkey" made out of tofu. He says Tofurkys will be on about 350,000 tables this holiday season.
At the end of the meal, Tibbott pets a very stuffed turkey named Elizabeth.
"That's how I am, by the way, after Thanksgiving dinner," Tibbot says, looking at the bird. "I get about two steps away and then I'm down on the floor."
It's Tibbott's very first time here at the Feeding of the Turkeys. He says it's transformative. "You don't really have face time with turkeys in my line of work."
Tibbott says if he had any Tofurky on him, he would give the birds a nibble. But he's not sure they would eat it.
Notice how her turkey died. They all do. They were bred and created to be eaten, so they die.
Last years pardoned turkeys (Apple and Cider?) both died last year.
No wonder libs always seem so bitter. They spend their lives trying to fight nature in so many ways, and it’s just frustrating.
I guess NPR didn’t realize that nobody worth anything gives a damn about these goofballs.
“He says it’s transformative.”
Only on NPR.
Poor Isabella Colbdorf. Destined for a life of misery. What an innocent child.
Well, I’ve been feeding wild turkeys in the back yard today...
Every spring a new flock of wild turkeys makes my property part of their daily foraging. It’s always kind of fun for me to watch as the babies start learning the routine. And, I always feel a little wistful seeing the flock’s numbers thin through the summer and fall as the local coyotes enjoy Thanksgiving year round. This spring the flock started at twenty-two. I counted them yesterday as they made their way through the property, and was suprised to count 14 of them. That’s actually a lot more than usually remains by the time winter arrives.
By next spring, when they start all over again, I usually see only 5 or 6 adult turkeys accompanying the new babies on their foraging rounds. I figure the rest of them served as winter dinners for the coyotes. Too bad these PITA putzes can’t enjoy the Circle of Life and appreciate the wisdom of God and nature.
People shouldn’t play with their food. And food shouldn’t play with their people.
a “turkey” made out of tofu.
When someone cooks up vegetable matter made to remotely taste like meat, I like like to bring up the notion that eating it is like playing with toy guns - you just don’t know where that’s going to lead. Alternatively, I will mention the success I have had making hamburger taste like tofu, and now I am working on making it taste like broccoli.
My 30 lb fresh bird (no "HALAL" Butterball for me) is almost done (to perfection) and soon, I and 9 family and friends will sit down and give thanks to the ALMIGHTY for his bountiful feast (much like the Pilgrims did) and if it were not Thanksgiving, I might be tempted to suggest all the Far Left Vegans and sundry other Moonbats, go "p*ss up a rope and enjoy your "Toffu," but I'll be nice and simply tell them: "F.U.!" lol
I’ve tried to explain to vegans that humans eating animals is much more “humane” than dogs and foxes ripping them to shreds. And our raising of them is better, too, than the wild.
The concept of “freedom” comes up, as if a dumb animal living a desperate life only to be painfully consumed at the end is equal to a human’s right to chose its own life course.
I raise birds for fun and survival insurance. ;>)
I presently have a total of 60 birds, ducks, geese and chickens.
-I am convinced that chickens are descended from the dinosaurs. They are mean, vicious and unrelenting little bitches..... but they are hard workers and they provide me with some great eggs.
-I have both Toulouse and African Browns. The Toulouse are very mellow and for the most part, they just hang out... kinda like a cow with wings. I consider these geese to be moderates and I suspect they smoke dope out behind the barn.
The African’s are guard geese. These guys get up in the morning ready for war. ANYONE that comes on our property will be greeted and then confronted. They are not a goose that anyone would want to have to fight... they don’t suffer fools and they will not back down. Even my German Shepherd dog respects these guys. They seem to have good memories, because if they didn’t like you the first time they met you, they never will. I consider these guys to be “far right”.
-Most of my ducks are Muscovies. They are smart, loyal, independent, stubborn, loving and natural comedians. They can be 5 acres away or out playing in one of the ponds, but if I call them, the entire flock of 30 will fly directly to me.... every time. They love their freedom and independence, are consistent and you can count on them. I consider these critters to be conservatives.
-I have never raised a turkey but I have a neighbor that does. These filthy creatures are noisy and dumb as a box of rocks (they will actually look up while in the rain and die from drowning). These antisocial complainers have only one reason for their existence and that is food.... no different than a carrot, but at least the carrot doesn’t stink, babble on and or try to make trouble. I consider these creatures to be democrats... I suspect that this makes them easier to dispatch.
Speaking of democrats, I think ours will be done soon, so I should get up and go do something....
Happy Thanksgiving to all......
;>)
Personally, having met some wild turkeys up close and personal, I’d like to suggest that they are practically a different species altogether from domestic turkeys. Wild turkeys are impressive creatures, and not at all easy to hunt. They are smart birds. The domestic variety are imbeciles.
That being said, I have a great, historical tale of turkeys.
When the first non-Spanish explorers arrived in Texas, times were pretty hard on them, as both food and water were scarce, and they had run low on rations, and they were in danger of starvation.
But then they found a beautiful, lush valley, with its own stream, and a forest of what were called “Texas Umbrella” trees, but today we call Chinaberry trees. Chinaberry trees are an ornamental tree, and their berries are unique, as when they turn ripe, they then harden into little yellow balls. They are also bitter beyond bitter to the taste.
But what made the explorers click their heels was that this little valley was filled with wild turkeys. So soon, a dozen turkeys were turning on spits over fires. As hungry as they were, it must have been an agonizing wait before the giant birds were done.
And when finally served, the explorers all agreed on one thing: that these turkeys were absolutely inedible.
The turkeys feasted on chinaberries, which imparted their unbelievably bitter flavor to the flesh of the turkeys.
Thus, sadly, though they were able to refresh themselves on the water, the explorers had to keep moving on.
Around our place, we also feed the turkey.
To Mom, Dad, the kids and friends and relatives.
Never lost a soul to PTSD (Post Turkey Scarfing Disorder).
Who knows, maybe she might discover the clandestine delight of a platter of turkey. And come to realize that there is a time to feed the turkeys and a time to eat them.
Thank you for that.
Salad is what food eats.
Excellent!
I’m glad you liked ...... ;>)
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