[garosenb]

Does anyone have a suggestion on where I should order a Thanksgiving turkey? I am looking for a high quality bird and I am willing to pick it up from a farm if need be.

[lolagirl]

I've used Jenifer St. Market for years. You can order through Nov, and there's a choice of several growers to order from. In addition, they are a collection spot for the Atwood Community Center's Thanksgiving baskets.

[Violet_Skye]

I ordered mine from Willy St. Coop, like I have for the past several years.

Does Jennifer St. have organic birds available?

[lolagirl]

Does Jennifer St. have organic birds available?

Yes. They usually have 3 different options, at least 1 is organic. I think I've used the organic once - but usually get the local cage-free, antibiotic-free (it's hard to remember - it's been almost a year). I've always been very happy with the birds I've gotten.

I've thought about using the coop - has anyone got experience comparing Jenny St to the Coop for turkey?

[Athena]

Thanks for the tip. I was going to order a turkey from Steve's but I waited too long and they were sold out, as was Jordanal Farms and at least one other farm that I tried. Jenifer St. had three options, freerange, organic, or regular. I decided to get the freerange as it is supposed to be organic in all but name and I know that getting certified isn't easy.

[TAsunder]

I've had great luck with blue valley gardens but they've been sold out for a while.

I used JenEhr one year and was very disappointed with the result. The bird itself was ok, I guess, but their process is completely stupid. You reserve a bird but they don't actually reserve it for you seemingly. I showed up at 10am on market day and was "lucky" to find a bird in the weight range I asked for. The bird was missing a wing. They offered no discount or apology and since it was basically too late to go to plan B I purchased it at full price. It didn't exactly cook evenly.

BVG actually reserves the turkey and puts in a box with your name on it.

Doesn't Willy St Coop use random bell & evans turkeys? As I recall they were actually more expensive than local farm turkeys at around $4.50/lb.

[Violet_Skye]

My Organic Prairie turkey at Willy St. is going for $3.99/lb. They also have Bell and Evans non-organic for less. There is a third option as well, organic, which is more expensive than the Organic Prairie...don't remember the name.

[garosenb]

I decided to order a Bell and Evans birdie from Jenifer Street. I think it was in the ballpark of $2.59 per pound. I had to specify a weight class in 2 pound increments (10-12, 12-14, etc.). I then am able to pick from the weight class when I arrive.

[Ducatista]

I went on a several-year fresh-bird kick, w/turkeys from a few different sources: Diestel, Bell & Evans, a regional farm I can't recall. And you know what? Butterball frozen is just as good. Be smart about how you cook it, and save your money to upgrade ingredients elsewhere in the meal.

[garosenb]

I went on a several-year fresh-bird kick, w/turkeys from a few different sources: Diestel, Bell & Evans, a regional farm I can't recall. And you know what? Butterball frozen is just as good. Be smart about how you cook it, and save your money to upgrade ingredients elsewhere in the meal.

I think this is excellent advice. I normally treat all birds fairly well (they all get brines and butter under the skin), but wanted to step up with the turkey itself. The cost difference is not that great either...I already go balls out on all other aspects of the meal and am willing to spend more for the turkey.

[Ducatista]

Makes sense. How about a heritage bird? I've never gone that route. I'd probably like it, since I prefer dark meat. I'm still sticking w/bball, though, in the interest of cost/simplicity/consistent results. Though if I found an Empire Kosher frozen lying around, I'd try that instead.

Other turkey advice, for anybody feeding a crowd: try two smaller birds instead of one big one. I usually do two turkeys, one in the oven, one in the Nesco. Both taste great, but the oven bird browns up better, so it's the centerpiece.

[Athena]

My reason for going with a fancier turkey isn't taste, it's that I've seen video of how a turkey farm operates. I like to pay more for some assurance that the turkey has had a more normal life that those factory turkeys.

TAsunder - I think Blue Valley Gardens was the other farm I looked at but they were sold out. I'll have to do this earlier next year.

[Stebben84]

Here is one way to make your turkey more moist and flavorful:




http://bacontoday.com/turbaconducken-tu ... -in-bacon/

[garosenb]

My reason for going with a fancier turkey isn't taste, it's that I've seen video of how a turkey farm operates. I like to pay more for some assurance that the turkey has had a more normal life that those factory turkeys.

TAsunder - I think Blue Valley Gardens was the other farm I looked at but they were sold out. I'll have to do this earlier next year.

I will look at Blue Valley Gardens next year. Here is their site:

http://www.mhtc.net/~blueval/

[Violet_Skye]

My reason for going with a fancier turkey isn't taste, it's that I've seen video of how a turkey farm operates. I like to pay more for some assurance that the turkey has had a more normal life that those factory turkeys.

Seconded. I would rather pay twice as much and eat half as much meat, knowing the animal had humane treatment, and eating less meat is better for me too...win/win. Also better for the environment, etc. Also like to encourage growth of humanely raised animal farming vs. factory farms.