Recent conversations about the flavor of turkey meat has been a rising controversial topic as different people have many different opinions about this. More and more students have been speaking out about how turkey meat is quite overrated and how other meat options for Thanksgiving feasts would serve as much better choices for the satisfaction of more people.
Emma Esparza (11) says, “In my opinion, turkey is overrated because it is always super dry and it has little to no flavor. Rotisserie chicken is so much better because it has a more prominent flavor than turkey.”
The first Thanksgiving which took place in the year 1621 between the Native Americans and Pilgrims had foods like corn, duck and geese. Turkeys may have been eaten since they were native to the land but they were not yet the main dish of the feast.
As the holiday of Thanksgiving began to evolve throughout America during the eighteenth century, eating turkey as the main dish was an easy solution. Wild turkeys were plentiful which therefore made them an accessible food source.
The size of a turkey is significant to this topic as well because one turkey could feed a whole family. Chickens were small and their value was mainly for laying eggs so people refrained from eating them.
Cows were used for milk so slaughtering just one cow would force families to pay greater costs. Domestic turkeys were easy to raise and take care of. Over time, turkey became the centerpiece of Thanksgiving.
The act of eating turkey on Thanksgiving symbolizes abundance and family. Karla Davila (11) says, “It depends on how the turkey is cooked and seasoned. In comparison to bland turkey, steak is much better because it has so much flavor.”
Since Thanksgiving celebrates American culture, it is important to celebrate other cultures as well. Trying new foods is a great way to learn about other cultures and traditions, especially when you can do so with friends and family.
New trends have formed from the holiday of Thanksgiving. Friend groups have this potluck where they can bring foods from their individual cultures for their friends to try and enjoy. Tarun Saripalli (11) says, “I would bring a mango lassi to a friendsgiving because it’s a refreshing drink and it tastes really good.”
Kimia Ahmadi (11) says, “I would bring salad shirazi simply because it is so tasty and healthy. This salad is honestly a great representation of Persian culture because it comes from a city with very rich Persian history. I think it goes great as a side dish with almost any food. I would also bring doogh, a yogurt-based drink that is very popular. Joojeh kabab with rice is one of my favorite Persian foods. Lots of people like to eat chicken and the use of saffron in rice is also a great cultural representation. Sumac spices and cucumber yogurts can be added for a more complex taste.”
Overall, Thanksgiving is a holiday that celebrates love, family and togetherness. No matter what is eaten, a sense of unity and community is shared between people and that’s what makes this holiday so special.
