Have a Local Thanksgiving
I'm sorry readers, but there's no reason to reinvent the wheel. This is a repost from last year:
It's that time of year again, time to think about Thanksgiving - to host or not to host, to dine in our go out, to order in or make everything yourself? I know, I'm overwhelmed just thinking about it. If you have any dedication to eating locally and supporting your local farmers, there are many options for keeping your thanksgiving as local as possible. Later in the week, I will be posting alternatives to cooking in your own home for all of you who have asked, but this post if for those of you lucky enough to be cooking everything yourselves!
The key to hosting any successful party is, or course, flawless organization, seamless execution and unlimited resources. For those of us lacking in one or more of those areas, your best friend should be THE LIST. Make a list of everything you need to do and then organize it in a manner that makes the most sense to you. Williams-Sonoma has a good brochure online with recipes and a checklist, and of course, Gourmet, Bon Appetit, and the Food Network also have good versions as well.
First up, turkeys - now, here's something you might not have known if you haven't cooked a fresh turkey before: they don't take as long to cook as previously frozen birds. As far as I know, the science on that one is still out, but there's no need to get up at 4 in the morning to put a turkey in the oven so that it can turn into turkey jerky by the time you finally get it on the table. If you choose to go with a fresh bird, you should be ordering your turkey now to be sure it is reserved, and plan to pick it up Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving so that you will have a chance to brine it (you are going to brine it, aren't you?). These days, they sell brining bags in most grocery stores. Of course, you can really use those giant roasting bags, but don't tell the folks who are charging you $10 for 2 brining bags. If you are in a pinch or don't feel like messing with Alton Brown's 20 ingredient brine, then don't. A simple mix of 1 cup kosher salt, 1/2 cup sugar to one gallon water is fine and will accomplish the purpose of a brine: juicy meat. You can really even leave out the sugar if you like. See? I've already saved you time and money.
Turkey Sources:
North Market Poultry and Game (59 Spruce St.just north of downtown) in the North Market - I have purchased their turkeys many times in the past and have always been pleased. In addition to fresh turkeys, they have great homemade chicken stock and all manner of game to compliment your feast. 614.212.7237
Carfagna's (1405 E. Dublin Granville, Columbus' NE side) has locally grown, fat Ohio hen turkeys available for Thanksgiving pre-order from the Lewis Turkey Farm. Turkeys are reasonably priced at $1.99 a pound for whole turkeys and $3.99 for breast only (although why anyone would want to do that is beyond me, but I digress). 614.846.6340.
Weiland's Gourmet Market (3600 Indianola Ave in Clintonville) is taking orders for their Bowman & Landes Farms free range turkeys. Bowman & Landes is one of Ohio's largest free-range turkey farms and is located in Miami county. Here's an interesting article from last year's USA Today about the farm and the rise of free range turkey farming. 614.267.9878.
The Hills Market (7860 Olentangy River Rd, aka rt. 315 that far north in Worthington) is also offering Bowman & Landes turkeys this year. 614.846.3220.
The Anderson's General Store (7000 Bent Tree Blvd in Dublin) is offering Ohio-raised Albright Farms free range turkeys this year, 614.766.9500.
There will still be some farmers left at this week's North Market Farmer's market, and, if last week's market was any indication, there will be potatoes, sweet potatoes, greens, and winter squash galore. While the growing season has pretty much wound down here in Central Ohio, there are still many ways you can support your local farmers this Thanksgiving. If you're really industrious, you can even set up some storage and buy extra for December's holidays, as well.
Happy Eating!
