Turkey or Ham for Thanksgiving or both?

[Callisto]

I love ham, but my fam usually has turkey for thanksgiving. Although as I''ve gotten older my family members have gotten bored with the traditional holiday meals and have come up with some very interesting alternatives... i.e. fajitas.

 

[elrohwen]

My family always has turkey, but I hate it! I'd much prefer to roast a chicken or a duck; turkey always seems so dry to me.

This year, we're having Thanksgiving at a friend's house and he's considering getting an heirloom turkey from a local farmer. I'm excited to try that and see if it's any better than grocery store turkey! This friend also owns chickens and has some of his own chickens in the freezer, so we might make one of those. Oh, and he got a smoker for his bday, so at least one bird will be smoked. Lol. I can't wait!

ETA: DH has been wanting to do a turduken for years! He's still trying to convince me to do one this year.

 

[kas baby]

we raised turkeys and friars in 4-H, best turkey ever! but they were so huge! We had the butcher cleave them in half so they could actually fit in the stove. half of the turkey was plenty, and we still had leftovers. yumm.

I agree with those that said they find turkey to be dry. That''s why I have to eat it with lots of gravy and mashed potatoes

 

[sctsbride09]

Both! Although it is only because we visit other people on turkey day, if we had it at our house it would be turkey only. Dh hates ham.

 

[partgypsy]

Turkey for Thanksgiving, beef or goose for Christmas, and lamb for Easter (yum). Didn''t eat much pork growing up and don''t miss it either.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 11/18/2009 3:15:47 PM
Author: kas baby

I agree with those that said they find turkey to be dry. That's why I have to eat it with lots of gravy and mashed potatoes

I think it tastes dry too; I eat the ham

DH and my BIL eat turkey w/lots of gravy; everyone else eats both.

 

[Lilac]

We''re Jewish and ham isn''t kosher, so it''s turkey for us on Thanksgiving!

 

[loriken214]

BOTH!!!

Lori

 

[CaliSun]

We had both last year, and it was waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much food.
Even too much for leftovers - we felt like a lot went to waste

 

[Luckyeshe]

Actually...for our Thanksgiving, we have ham, turkey, and turduken!! Of course we normally have about 20+ people over for the holiday to help with all the food!

 

[zoebartlett]

Yeah, turkey can be pretty dry, especially if you''re having leftovers. That''s frustrating. I always make a Thanksgiving wrap the next day, and I make sure to add lots of cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and stuffing to cover up the turkey. Mmmm...

 

[gemgirl]

I always make a small to medium size turkey, even though it''s just me and the hubby, but he doesn''t eat turkey on Thanksgiving. He eats it once or twice after the holiday. I''m making sauce, meatballs and sausage tomorrow, so on Thanksgiving day he''ll eat stuffed shells, baked clams, salad, the mozzerella and tomato platter, fresh Italian bread etc. I love not having to cook for at least four days after the holiday.

 

[diamondringlover]

We always have Turkey and if we go to my sisters we have both because her hubby dosent like turkey.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Normally we have both. . .not sure about this year b/c we''re going to a relatives. I''m pretty sure they''re only cooking turkey.

 

[SomethingSinful]

Turkey.
My Dad makes the best turkey ever

 

[mayachel]

As a long time vegetarian, tofurky sounds awful to me

I''m not sure I''ve ever tried it...maybe one time in college?

Personally, I''m happy with all the sides of thanksgiving.
Sweet potatoes
green beans
stuffing (meat free of course, not cooked in the turkey)
cranberries
mashed potatoes
salad
pie!
*misc other*

 

[Alistra]

I have to post in defense of Tofurky! Both my husband and I love it, and look forward to having one on holidays. I have several friends who also enjoy it. I would at least give it a chance before deciding you don''t like it (although I am a vegetarian, the book Green Eggs and Ham makes a good point!). Also, be sure to baste it several times during cooking.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 11/18/2009 1:45:38 PM
Author: ZoeBartlett

Date: 11/18/2009 12:47:13 PM
Author: sunnyd
I did have a turducken 2 years ago, that was darn tasty too!

I had never heard of turducken until a few days ago when I saw something about it on the Food Network. My husband's wanted to try it but I don't think I want to. Apparently it is good though!

Oh I never heard of a turducken either.

Is it hard to make? I read it was a partially deboned turkey stuffed w/ debones duck stuffed with a deboned chicken and then sausage too. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turducken It must weigh a ton. lol

eta: here is Paula Deen's recipe w/ the turkey, duck and chicken http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/turducken-recipe/index.html
wow, here I thought a turkey was hard to make! lol

 

[Mara]

most people i know who have had turducken just buy it and cook it, WS used to sell it! i can''t imagine trying to stuff all those inside of each other...what a pain!

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 11/19/2009 6:22:55 PM
Author: Mara
most people i know who have had turducken just buy it and cook it, WS used to sell it! i can''t imagine trying to stuff all those inside of each other...what a pain!

Mara, you made me laugh out loud because that is what I was thinking reading about stuffing all those BIRDS inside each other.

I can''t even imagine all that work; good thing a store does it for people!

 

[qtiekiki]

We usually have both and roast beef. Big family get together.

 

[qtiekiki]

Date: 11/18/2009 12:43:45 PM
Author: radiantquest
Usually turkey for Thanksgiving and ham for Christmas. My best friend in high school said that her family always has oysters on Thanksgiving. I have heard of people doing that, but I have never been to a Thanksgiving feast where oysters are involved.

My grandpa used to make oyster chowder for Thanksgiving. It''s so good. After he passed away, we didn''t spend Thanksgiving all together anymore (all the aunts, uncles and cousins). My sister made some last year when hosted Thanksgiving dinner at her place.

 

[Squirrly]

both!
my dad doesn''t care for turkey, and neither do some of my younger cousins

 

[Cind11]

Turkey!!!!

 

[tyty333]

Both...mostly because we''re going to be a group of 20!

 

[Shoopy]

At FI''s parent''s house: both although the ham is so flippin delicious that no one eats the turkey lol

At mom''s house: just turkey. My mom doesn''t do well with pork and my brothers don''t really like it so she never makes one.