Fresh vs frozen

[chrose]

Thanksgiving is coming up and the run for turkeys is on. Personally I have always gotten the fresh/frozen turkeys (According to the USDA a turkey can be taken down to 26ºF and still be called fresh) where I come from 32ºF is considered frozen anyway. I know "generally speaking" that fresh usually tastes better than frozen.
But I always wrestle every year with the debate do I spend .29¢/lb - .39¢/lb for frozen or do I break the piggy bank and go for .99¢/lb - 1.69¢/lb.

What are the opinions out there from you turkey experts?

[Pete]

If you are buying the standard variety, super-grocery store turkey (ie Butterball, Jenni-O, etc.) I don't think that there really is much of a difference between the fresh (yes semi-frozen) and frozen birds. If you really want a taste difference look for local farmers, preferably ones that raise them organically or raise heirloom birds.

[panini]

Now This Run For The Turkeys, This Takes Place In The Streets????

[castironchef]

Only go fresh if you have a good, local producer.

Check around and see what's available. Here, I have the choice of Willie Bird, from my home town in Sonoma County or Diestel, from the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Both raise excellent turkeys and their quality really comes through.

[panini]

I agree with castiron,
The "Fresh Birds" from the grocery can be a crap shoot unless you are definitely brining. Well actually you can get what? 5 to 1. on the frozen. better odds
pan

[chrose]

Originally Posted by panini

Now This Run For The Turkeys, This Takes Place In The Streets????

Actually the back alleys. Them varmints are ornery critters. You ought know that! Don't they run wild in Dallas too?
PS darn shame about the loss to the 'Skins ehh?

[AprilB]

<oh the humanity...such an ugly sport>

Actually the "crap shoot" as compared to "shooting crap" is a valid question.

I really don't consider anything poultry 'frozen' at 26 ish degrees. Frozen for poultry is under 10 or sub zero. 26 is just kind of making it chilly and some water crystals in the meat. Unless they started it at sub zero and "thawed" it to 26?...Hmmmm....

To be honest I haven't seen much of a difference in quality or flavor between frozen or fresh. I grew up with frozen and discovered the wonderful land of butchers in Australia where I got fresh. After properly thawing the frozen birds I didn't really notice any difference in flavor from frozen or fresh. Yes, I did a taste test. (personally I like duck anyway)

I don't know about the golden skin thing but I discovered if you roast the turkey upside down (breast side down) then the breast meat comes up far moister. I love chicken skin but turkey skin is pretty tough. (no matter what I did) I think it's more of a presentation/not practical thing. Everybody pictures the pretty golden plump breast up roasted turkey.

I did raise a bird once <NEVER AGAIN> and he was the nastiest POS imaginable. BAD BAD turkey. Raised him from a 1 week old chick. He grew into a bird from ****. He'd chase my then 4 yo son around and peck the booboos out of his buns. Through his jeans he'd have a huge bruise! I understand they are so stupid that they'll stand in a rainstorm with their heads up and mouths open and literally drown. (we aren't talking wild turkeys...would love to try one of those at some point)

He'd also peck our dogs rears, chase the cats up trees...spook the horses...

Turkey run...ugly sport...Turkeys are mean...

April

Originally Posted by panini

Now This Run For The Turkeys, This Takes Place In The Streets????

[blueschef]

I assure you you do not want to eat a wild turkey, they are not very good!

[chrose]

Thanks everyone for the input (And the story AprilB!) I am going to save some money this year in that case and get the usual turkey! That will give me a few extra bucks towards booze (Which can make lots of things taste good )