Saying no to turkey on Thanksgiving

Prime Rib, Leg Lamb, Roast Filet Mignon, stuffed Roast Pork Loin to name a few.

To me it's just a tradition that I enjoy.  And it's normally the only time I roast a turkey in any given year.  But I suppose few of your guests would turn their noses up at prime rib or Chateaubriand.

Growing up none of us liked turkey so mom would make a roast chicken or prime rib and there was always ham as well. 

Probably about half of the Thanksgiving meals that my family has had excluded turkey. We usually have seafood gumbo, blend of the bayou (hard to describe, but it's a seafood cassarole), oyster dressing...seeing a pattern here? When we do have poultry, we have turkey, but we also have pheasant, quail, chukar, and dove. And the turkey is almost always smoked or fried.

Cook whole rib  med rare> Slice her piece put in in hot Au Jus for 2-3 minutes  .Bingo !! hers is well done

Goodness, there's an incredible number of non-turkey possibilties. How about a goose, for instance? Or a rack of lamb? Or a fresh ham? Game is readily available, nowdays, and would tie-in with the fall harvest theme of Thanksgiving.

If you want to be truly traditional, there is no evidence that the Pilgrims had turkey at that famous meal. Just the oppostie, in fact. But they did have wildfowl. So duck would fit nicely.

If you do opt for quail, two things to keep in mind. First, it will take two to three per serving. Second, quail generally comes one of two ways: whole or spatchcocked. Make sure you know which style you're getting, because they are usually cooked differently.

Babytiger, where are you from? This might help determine what's local.

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Originally Posted by babytiger 

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Originally Posted by tylerm713 

Babytiger, where are you from? This might help determine what's local.

San Francisco

I would go seafood then. Does your husband like any other crustaceans? What about fish? Or maybe oysters?

Another option would be to contact local hunting guides and inquire about buying fowl from them after hunts. An outfit that we hunted with in South Dakota a few years ago sold of a lot of what their clients killed because they didn't have the ability to take them home. I would highly recommend this over buying any domesticated fowl.

We British don't celebrate Thanksgiving... but, we do eat turkey at Christmas. 

My family alternate with a goose - do you have geese as an alternative?

When I get tired of turkey I usually roast a capon. Just another option.

I say cook whatever your family likes. Thanksgiving is about enjoying good food and being with the ones you love, not cooking from a list of "acceptable" dishes. For example, if your family likes seared scallops and risotto, then go for it. I think people get way too caught up on what is traditional when it comes to Thanksgiving. My family has started its own traditions when it comes to holiday food, and it's great. I would encourage you to do the same.

Slow-roasted duck with herbs (garlic, thyme, pepper, etc.) or duck with leeks, carrots in an olive gravy.

Another option would be to contact local hunting guides and inquire about buying fowl from them after hunts.

Considering how illegal this is on the Federal, and most state levels, I sincerely doubt that a guide or hunting lodge is going to admit, on a phone call from a stranger, that they do this.

The exception is private enterprise hunting preserves. But those are pen-raised birds, and are considered to be chickens so far as the law is concerned.

Not sure about California, but I know several states sell licenses to commercial outfits to sell dressed game for consumption. Then again, you could always do some killin' yourself.

We're the same as Ishbel here Down Under - no Thanksgiving, but for Christmas I often do a light seafood starter, then a roast pork leg. Then hubby loves a steamed fruit pudding with hot custard. Really handy on a hot summer's day, with all the trimmings.  It's a waste of time and effort as it's just too hot to be cooking it and heats you and the house up too much.  But, It would be ideal for a cold winter's day with a simple creamy soup instead of the seafood.  Loads of different types of bread with real butter.  Only trouble is, you can't move for a few hours after that, and we crash out for a rest with the air-con. and fan on the sofa!

Personally, I'd prefer to do a cold seafood starter, family style (for example, oysters au naturale, cooked then chilled tiger prawns, some scallops in a spicy lemon and parsley dressing) to share with just a light salad and crusty bread.

Then I'd go a pot roast of beef, served simply with the veg from the bottom of the pot, sauce reduced a little and thickened with cornflour.  Then something light and icy cold for afters.  Like frozen yoghurt with fresh berries.  If bony fish is off the menu, try some shark.  There are no bones and in my mind the flavour is better than many fish.  Just S&P then gentle fry in butter and a bit of oil.  Can accompany with a dish of roast veg., tossed in rosemary, cracked black pepper, and thyme.

I know my main is hot, at least the rest is cold.   With the pot roast you would get a couple more meals out of it once you add some more fresh cooked veg.  Or make it into a pan toasted sanwich with some nice cheese and arugula.

How about Boxer Day?

Do you mean Boxing Day, Ed?

Traditionally, in our home it's left over turkey/goose and a roasted gammon joint, eaten cold with creamed potatoes and loads and loads of different pickles!

One thing to consider is that you need to make sure that all your guests are on board with the idea of not having turkey.  Seafood seems out of place for me, I don't think that would do as a substitute at all and would probably be disappointed if I was joining friends for thanksgiving and they handed me some salmon.  Also, quails are very nice but I can only think of them as appetizers at a bbq.  They're not very elegant especially once you realize you have to suck on the bones. 

My mom always wanted her beef well done too and we did what Ed suggested.  We always gave her the outside slice and just cooked it a bit longer.  My mother has this bad habit of wanting all her meat to be well done and crispy.

Can I tell you my best ever Thanksgiving?

My friends and I, we were climbers, and we lived in our vans.  We parked the both of them side by side so the sliding doors faced each other and splurged on two precooked chickens from Ralph's and cooked up minute rice.  :)

I know several states sell licenses to commercial outfits to sell dressed game for consumption.

Wild game, Tyler?

I wonder how they get around the federal laws, which absolutely forbid the sale of wild game or parts thereof?

Then again, you could always do some killin' yourself.

Absolutely! Which is why turkey at Thanksgiving is such a rarity for us. We almost always have game of one sort or another.

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Originally Posted by kuan 

Can I tell you my best ever Thanksgiving?

 

My friends and I, we were climbers, and we lived in our vans.  We parked the both of them side by side so the sliding doors faced each other and splurged on two precooked chickens from Ralph's and cooked up minute rice.  :)

See, that's what Thanksgiving should be about. Enjoying the people you are with, and not worrying about if the food is "Thanksgiving-ish".

KY, I may be mistaken, but I believe the federal laws are only on migratory birds. I think individual states decide if it's legal to sell other wild game, but to be honest I'm not sure. Best bet is to harvest yourself, I suppose. That's the route I've always taken.  

What a about a themed dinner.....we have done mexican, cajun, asian etc. etc.......or just lots of apps....that is my fave!  I just set up everything buffet style and we sit around and watch TV....  I am working on a list for Christmas now.  Here's a few ideas:  crab salad on wonton cups or endive, tiny salmon cakes wrapped in bacon, lamb meatballs with lemon cumin yogurt sauce, mongolian beef skewers, whipped feta and roasted rep pepper dip with lavash or pitas, grilled reuben sliders, and shrimp dumplings.

i like the idea of a goose with an oyster dressing...a bison roast would be great as well as special (roasted raspberry chipotle or peach habanero glaze)...bison pairs well with fruit..personally, to me, nothing says thanksgiving like a perfectly roasted turkey...a few years ago, i did the turkey southwest style...green chilies and garlic under the skin, and a red chile gravy on the side......good stuff, and just a bit different... whatever you decide, hope your day and house are full...although thanksgiving is definitely all about food, it truly is more about gathering with friends and family and sharing...

joey

I was in Bermuda and a local friend of mine called it  Boxer Day. And on Xmas Eve there everyone sets their table and puts out food , leaves their front door open, go to sleep and friends and neighbors come in and eat then leave, while you may be sleeping?