As Thanksgiving approaches, our fascination with the feathered fowl takes center stage. This time of the year we are answering lots of questions related to the Thanksgiving feast and its traditional centerpiece, as we uncover the secrets behind the star of the Thanksgiving show—Turkey.
Here are a few things you will need to know before deciding whether or not to buy a FRESH or FROZEN bird. It’s an ageless question!
At Sam’s Meat we always favor anything and everything Fresh over Frozen! Especially if you can get it at lower wholesale pricing.
Here’s how: call (845)651-MEAT to place your order; And here’s why:
First things first! There are new labeling laws for turkeys. A turkey is considered “fresh” only if it has never been chilled below 26°F to assure consumers that the turkey they buy has never been frozen. Turkeys chilled at 0°F must be labeled “frozen.” If a turkey is stored between 25°F – 1°F, it may or may not be labeled “previously frozen.”
Most farmers and butchers recommend a fresh turkey. But, the real question remains: which turkey tastes best
Fresh turkeys will hold their moisture better than frozen turkeys, bringing out a meaty texture with deeper natural flavors.
It is best to pre-order a fresh turkey, and arrange to pick it up a few days before the holiday. There are only so many of these fresh, local birds available, since turkey flock sizes are set in late spring, so it’s important to place a pre-order.
If you are going to buy a frozen turkey, buy it from your local butcher or a small family farm where their turkeys are flash frozen to preserve the flavor and quality, rather than one from a supermarket where you have no idea how long it’s been frozen and if the bird was thawed and refrozen along the way. If a frozen turkey melts and refreezes, formation of ice crystals in the muscles can occur, making for tough meat. Frozen turkeys are best when flash-frozen packaged immediately to 0°F.
The most important factor in deciphering between a fresh or frozen turkey is the quality of the meat before it is frozen. Also, take into consideration that the freezer storage time, packaging, thawing process and refreezing can have an effect on the quality of any turkey.
Storing an uncooked turkey
Keep the turkey in its original plastic packaging, whether it is fresh or frozen, to keep out bacteria and retain the meat’s freshness.
The ideal temperature for your freezer is 0°F to ensure the bird remains completely frozen. A frozen turkey can safely last up to a year, if kept in the freezer. After this amount of time, the quality of the meat will diminish.
Frozen turkeys require additional time for thawing; therefore, additional prep time is required. Thaw the turkey in the coldest part of the refrigerator, in the far back on the bottom shelf. Never defrost a turkey at room temperature. Remember, a whole, uncooked, thawed turkey can be stored in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days only, so plan ahead. The refrigerator should be at a temperature of 40°F or below. Allow for 1 day of thawing in the refrigerator for every 4-5 pounds of turkey.
Fresh and frozen turkeys cook differently
A fresh turkey cooks a lot differently than a frozen one does. Fresh turkeys tend to roast much more quickly than frozen, thawed ones do. Use a meat thermometer on the thigh before the estimated time is up. The turkey is done when the thigh meat registers 165°F.
Whether fresh or frozen, the USDA recommends buying 1 pound of turkey for every person at dinner (includes a moderate amount for leftovers) But in reality 1.6 or 1.7 lb to a person ratio works better. So 10 people get at least 16-17 lb birds.
Other poultry options
You may already be familiar with other types of domestic fowl, such as chickens, ducks, and geese, that can be used for holiday instead of turkey. But have you heard about, or tried CAPON?
Ready to try something new this holiday season? Keep reading, as we’ll introduce you to capon, as a great alternative to a Thanksgiving feast, especially suitable for a smaller party up to 8-10 people.
A capon is a male chicken that is gelded, or neutered, at a young age, and then fed a rich diet of milk or porridge. Larger than a chicken, a bit smaller than a turkey, but more flavorful than either, capons are full breasted with tender, juicy, flavorful meat that is well suited to roasting.
In the past, capons were especially popular with the clergy, royalties and kings, and thus popularized throughout Europe, where capon was stuffed, roasted, stewed and baked into pies. In present-day Europe, especially France and Italy, capons are traditionally served at Christmas.
Another holiday bird
Just the fact that capon is traditionally regarded as a holiday dish eaten only on special occasions is a nod to this bird’s exquisite and delicate taste. In Italy it is, Christmas Eve dinner or Christmas Day lunch, depending on local traditions, or New Year’s Eve dinner, – the so-called Cenone di Capodanno. In the gastronomy of Spain, capons are usually eaten during the Christmas season. Capons of Vilalba and Lugo are particularly famous and are sold all over the country. In China, capons are often raised specifically for consumption during Chinese New Year.
Since most poultry in the US is mass produced commercially, it can be difficult to find a capon unless a consumer has access to a true meat purveyor and full service butcher shop like Sam’s Meat Warehouse. Experimenting with capon is considered to be well worth the effort, if you can find this forgotten delicacy. Complex taste of the meat that is tender, juicy and flavorful, makes the birds a special dinner centerpiece throughout any holiday season.
Where to buy
Available locally only at Sam’s Meat Warehouse, which carries farm raised free range Capons. Here you can buy it at a low wholesale price of $7.99/lb, which is just a fraction of the price, as this bird normally retails for $11-17/lb.
No matter what dish you decide to dress your holiday table with, at Sam’s Meat, we believe the choice should always be yours: which bird to buy, who to buy from, big or small, frozen or fresh, brine or not , smoke, deep fry or conventional roast… One thing is certain, – we will be here to help you along the way, with any questions or requests you might have.
Sam’s Meat Warehouse is located at Remee Plaza in Florida NY, and next year will celebrate 15 years of uninterrupted service from the same location at 1749 Route 17A, Florida, NY,
(845)651-6328.
Shared by Stephen Kitar,
Master Butcher, Host of WTBQ’s
“Food for Thought” Show.
