Why Do We Eat Turkey at Christmas?

JoSwann | Oct 24, 2010 |

5 Comments | Rating: 2

why_do_we_eat_turkey_at_christmas It's Christmas day. The presents have been opened, the family has gathered, the lights on the tree are twinkling and it's time for lunch. For most of us, Christmas lunch means one thing: Roast Christmas turkey, stuffing, roast potatoes, cranberry sauce, bread sauce and vegetables, all rounded off with lashings of gravy.

Buy why do we eat turkey for Christmas? Well, before turkey became the fowl of choice on our Christmas tables, goose, swan or venison were the meats of choice that people tucked in to. (Occasionally they would also eat boar's head or peacock).

Christmas turkey is an English tradition and it was not until the 16^th Century that turkeys were introduced to the UK. (Some people say the first turkeys came from Spain, while others say the USA was where they first came from).

The turkey meat was a new experience for the English, who loved the white meat and delicate taste. Christmas Turkey on the table was mentioned by Charles Dickens in his book, 'A Chistmas Carol' in 1843, and it grew in popularity from that point. However, Christmas turkey did not really become commonplace on the Christmas table until the mid 1900's. (Before that, people could not afford to eat meat regularly, meaning that it was only on those special occasions that something as luxurious as a whole turkey could be enjoyed.) Chicken had become more popular in the preceding years (before the first and second world wars came along and with them rationing and food shortages), but feeding a large family on one chicken was difficult. A Christmas turkey, however, was able to feed the entire family with enough leftovers for meals for a few days afterwards. Back then, every part of the bird would be put to good use in the days after Christmas, making risottos, casseroles, and soups and stocks from the bones and scraps.

These days, in England, the popularity of Christmas turkey seems to be on the decline, with people finding turkey can all too often be dry in texture. They are instead reverting back to goose, dabbling with duck, or indulging in a free range chicken, or recreating ancient 'bird in bird' recipes, where a Christmas turkey is stuffed with a duck, which is stuffed with a poussin or a small chicken. Many people also choose good quality aged beef, or a Beef Wellington (beef wrapped in pate, mushrooms and pastry) as an alternative Christmas Day dinner.

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Comments

Oct 24, 2010 3:10pm

Philtrate
I think a turkey is the only way you can feed a large family and visitors for a reasonable price, and have cold cuts for Boxing/St Stephen's Day. Personally I prefer rib of beef or leg of mutton for taste. Duck is good but too small for Christmas.

Oct 25, 2010 12:59am

weianow
I like Turkey at Christmas but have noticed many people cook ham or sometimes both, but my family always had turkey for Thanksgiving and Christmas and ham on New Years Day.

Oct 25, 2010 7:14am

JoSwann
We used to have turkey, but these days now I'm in control of Christmas cooking, we often choose beef or a really lovely organic free range chicken.