Turkey Desolation - The Aftermath

The sugars in the apple cider brine helped give the bird a darker color.

First off, I hope everyone reading this had an excellent Thanksgiving with an abundance of food, love and friendship! I know I did!

Our hostess, Mae.

This year we grouped at my friends Mae and Nate's house, just outside Portland. There were about a dozen of us and way too much food! We were a little late getting the turkey in - I'd really meant to get it in the oven by 11:00 but didn't actually get to Mae's with the bird until after noon, getting the turkey in the oven at 12:30. This was a 24 lb. bird, bigger than any I'd ever cooked before. I wasn't really sure just how long it would take to roast this monster, but figured we had all day so no sweat.

We had plenty of time to go outside and chase after their small flock of chickens and get things set up while we waited for everyone else to show up. I got the polenta stuffing ready to go into the oven and took some time to hang out with good friends - and a few glasses of wine!
 

Waiting for the turkey!

As it turned out, we had plenty of time to socialize, as the bird took well over 5 hours to roast. It was worth every minute of the wait! The color was unbelievable! The meat was dripping with juices, the apple and cinnamon flavors giving the turkey a taste unlike any other holiday bird I've ever had.

Prior to the feast, we gathered outside for a Thanksgiving ritual that included a dedication of old bones and a reading of the poetry of William  S. Burroughs.  Then it was time to eat!

Mae cooks the carrots.

While Mae finishes the carrots, Peredur works on the gravy.

We had 2 different stuffings, 2 different green bean casseroles, carrots, a cauliflower mash, mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes - not to mention the Waldorf Salad and several pies! And turkey. So much turkey! We had gotten enough to feed way more than were on hand, even eating the way we ate, meaning we had quite the haul of leftovers!

It was a fantastic Thanksgiving, replete with fun, friendship, and feasting. The very best way to celebrate Thanksgiving is, after all, to surround ourselves with the very people we are thankful for! Let every day be Thanksgiving!