Turkey is absolutely wonderful. It gathers people together, marks celebration and kicks ass in the left-over department; enjoyed in so many ways. I’ll spare you the Bubba list. Better yet, turkey is by far the oddest looking meat and fully entertaining to play with while preparing. The wish bone adds a bit of magic as well.
For me, cooking a turkey has always represented a passage to some unspoken state of adulthood. When the honour of hosting turkey dinner was handed to Mom from my Grandmother, it was like the generations had officially rolled over. I’ve always wondered, with mild concern, when that would happen to me. I’ve got skills, but most do not relate to the kitchen.
Since my step-father passed a few weeks after Christmas 6 years ago, my Mom has not cooked a proper turkey. We now sit down to a pre-stuffed turkey loaf from M&M’s which I actually think is glorious in a coupon clipping, you-have-to-love-and-laugh-at-spam kind of way. For whatever reason, when developing my list of Firsts, I decided it was time for generations to roll and that true turkey be brought back to my family.
For me, cooking a turkey has always represented a passage to some unspoken state of adulthood. When the honour of hosting turkey dinner was handed to Mom from my Grandmother, it was like the generations had officially rolled over. I’ve always wondered, with mild concern, when that would happen to me. I’ve got skills, but most do not relate to the kitchen.
Since my step-father passed a few weeks after Christmas 6 years ago, my Mom has not cooked a proper turkey. We now sit down to a pre-stuffed turkey loaf from M&M’s which I actually think is glorious in a coupon clipping, you-have-to-love-and-laugh-at-spam kind of way. For whatever reason, when developing my list of Firsts, I decided it was time for generations to roll and that true turkey be brought back to my family.
This past Christmas, we had Chinese take-out at my Grandma’s old-age home (long, funny story), so I didn’t get the chance to host turkey. Breaking the rule of ham, I finally received my “I’m All Gown-Up” badge today by cooking an Easter turkey. After an eventful trip to St. Lawrence Market, in my wee bachelor apartment drinking Sangria and Sapporo, my Mom cheered me on as I went through the motions of preparing my first turkey. It was the greatest day and the best damn turkey I’ve had in years!
My Mom won the wish bone pull, and although the superstition wasn’t really mine to participate in, I’m pretty sure we both wished for the same thing.
My Mom won the wish bone pull, and although the superstition wasn’t really mine to participate in, I’m pretty sure we both wished for the same thing.
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