Turducken

by Mary Anne on November 23, 2009

Am I the only one who was not aware of this?

turducken

It’s a chicken…shoved inside a duck… shoved inside a turkey.   I am fascinated by this.   Not fascinated enough to try it of course, but fascinated none the less.    I may be a great cook (and trust me, I am…) but when it comes to Turkey, the one thing I am thankful for is that I have found ways to completely remove myself from the daunting process of getting anywhere near it during the cooking phase.

I’d like to tell you that I slave over a hot stove at Thanksgiving, but I don’t…I take the lazy route.    Each year we load the kids into the car after a massive lecture on manners and being polite (wherein tell all letters written by us to Santa are thrown in at least ten times for good measure) and head over to my in-laws house.  My step Mother In Law, who trained at the Cordon Bleu,  has dinner ready and waiting for us.   I love it.    At Christmas, we prepare the feast and turkey is involved but once again, I manage to skirt all responsibility for the bird.   My only job is to pray The Man does not catch the house, or himself, on fire while he stands outside deep frying it.     To get out of  cooking the turkey, however, it’s a risk I am willing to take.

Also, to the great consternation of my family, I’m planning on breaking the annual Bitchmas festival into several days and nights, tackling one room at a time, instead of the entire house in one day. (And if you are new around these parts CLICK HERE FOR BITCHMAS explanation)   As with any major change in strategy, there are pros and cons to this approach.   The con is that the entire family is subjected to my screaming and cursing over getting poked by needles, nativity scenes that are missing all important camels (and one year the baby Jesus…but let’s not go there again) and lights that malfunction.    The pro side is, I don’t wear myself totally out trying to get it all done in 24 hours.   See?  Everyone wins.

All that being said, I’ll likely be missing for the rest of this week as I stuff my face make reasonable dining choices and terrorize my family hum Christmas carols while thoughtfully decorating.

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and remember….

tryptophan

PS:  This post done in consideration of Sprite’s Keepers theme of “What Are You Thankful For?”    If you want to know what bloggers are thinking with more deep thoughts than I have, CLICK HERE.   Come on, what are you waiting for?

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{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }

1 always home and uncool November 23, 2009 at 10:55 pm

As the official cook for the Uncool family T-Day, I say ….

HELP!!!!!!

2 Leslie November 23, 2009 at 11:47 pm

I’ve heard of Turduckin – but seriously I thought it was a joke. Now I am enlightened.

And I envy you – I have to cook the turkey this year and I’m already starting to break out in nervous hives.

Happy Turkey Day nonetheless.

3 Kathy November 24, 2009 at 12:14 am

Never heard of it before I moved to Germany….apparently it’s done here and throughout the world. I seriously thought it was a joke. They mostly do it for Christmas as there is no Thanksgiving here. I could only find a Turkey breast here so we are having our little turkey day ….after my daughter gets home from school and hubby home from work…so weird to not have it like the USA. I miss it, the parades on TV and black friday ads…sniff sniff..Have a wonderful Thanksgiving eat lots for me.

4 stoneskin November 24, 2009 at 2:17 am

Fascinates me too. But ideally it would be infinite. There would be something else shoved inside the chicken, and something even smaller shoved inside that, and so on.

5 Irish Gumbo November 24, 2009 at 4:42 am

Intriguing, but can they do it the other way around? Now THAT would be impressive!

(Also, if your baby jesus is missing, try using a cat. Or a football.)

6 The Dental Maven November 24, 2009 at 4:49 am

Turducken? No thanks. Reminds me too much of those cheesy Russian dolls available the world-over.

7 Michele November 24, 2009 at 5:38 am

I’m thankful that I no longer have to make dinner for 30. I’m thankful that turducken was not conceived of until after I stop serving 30 for dinner.

As long the Bitchmas doesn’t turn into the 12 days of Bitchmas I think you’ll be good. We could do a poem about that; on the first day of Bitchmas my true love gave to me……a poke with a big ol’pine tree. Sorry. It’s early.

8 Michele November 24, 2009 at 5:51 am

Oh please, PLEASE don’t let anyone I know learn of Turkducken and suggest that I make it!

And, I’m sorry, but there is nothing lazy about letting the Cordon Bleu chef make Thanksgiving dinner. IMHO, that’s just smart.

“Bitchmas.” Yup, describes about half of the holiday in my family. Love the phrase.

9 Joanie M November 24, 2009 at 7:08 am

I’ve never had turducken but I think my daughter has and she liked it.

I’ve lucked out for years now. When I was married we either went to family, but if we hosted, my ex did all the coking. Now that I’m divorced, my kids go to their dad’s and I go to my sister’s house. This year, I bring salad. Easy peasy.

10 Sprite's Keeper November 24, 2009 at 7:20 am

Someone offered me that off combo of bird and bird and bird and my response was “your turducken is still clucken’.” They never offered it again. In fact, I’m not sure they ever cooked it again…
Happy Thanksgiving, Stiletto Family! You’re linked!

11 tysdaddy November 24, 2009 at 7:35 am

I cannot believe my dad hasn’t tried this one. It’s right up his culinary alley to try to weirdest shit . . .

Have a super day, my friend.

12 Maureen@IslandRoar November 24, 2009 at 7:59 am

Enjoy the holiday!
That photo creeps me out…

13 The Mother November 24, 2009 at 8:28 am

I tend to hope that the tryptophan kicks in before the MIL starts spouting her pseudoscience nonsense. Or the wine. Wine is my friend.

14 justmakingmyway November 24, 2009 at 8:30 am

I have heard of the turducken – weird. I also get to go to the In-Laws for T-day and it is awesome. I make my lovely pumpkin trifle dessert and that is all I am responsible for. We get to sit around and watch football and relax. It has become one of my favorite holidays! Have a great day and good luck on the new Bitchmas Plan!

15 Mary Anne November 24, 2009 at 8:38 am

I first learned of Turducken when I spent a lot of time in New Orleans for work in the 90′s, but I’ve never had one. The Mailman looked into buying one mailorder at one point, but it was pretty expensive, so he never did. I’m not a huge fan of duck, so I was okay with not having it.
I’m not doing much cooking at all this week, which is odd. My sister is hosting, we’re bringing an appetizer and dessert and The Girl is in charge of making pumpkin bread.
I might have to buy a smallish turkey for The Mailman to cook on Sunday since we won’t have any leftovers.
Mmmmmm…. leftovers….. The Mailman makes a great turkey. He swears by the brine . . .
The Girl and I are off on Friday and will NOT be shopping. I think our decorating will begin then.
Happy Thanksgiving!

16 Jan November 24, 2009 at 8:58 am

I’ve heard of turducken, but I’ve never partaken of it. Probably because I’ve never prepared one, and there is the very strong probability I will go through this life without partaking of a turducken for that very reason.

Turkey, however, does not daunt me at all. In fact, I wish the rest of the Thanksgiving feast was as low maintenance as my turkey recipe. Nor will there be any healthcare debates; we will be sharing the meal with my children who have all been carefully brainwashed educated to have the correct opinion of the subject. Mine.

17 vered | blogger for hire November 24, 2009 at 11:44 am

I guess turducken was invented because turkey alone seemed boring to someone, somewhere.

Happy Thanksgiving. :)

18 Expat Mum November 24, 2009 at 1:00 pm

I was just having the turducken explained to me this morning. How on earth do they get them all in there? Or shouldn’t I ask?

19 Lisa@verybusymomwith4 November 24, 2009 at 1:22 pm

I think this is Southern thing :)
They had them at Whole Foods this morning but at $99 a pop, I’ll buy my turkey and cover it in butter and bacon.

Happy Thanksgiving!

20 vodkamom November 24, 2009 at 4:39 pm

I am thankful that the line at the liquor store wasn’t too long, and that I have plenty of “medication” for the weekend to come.

21 The Lawyer Mom November 24, 2009 at 4:49 pm

On the turduckey, wow. All I can think is SPAM!

And “My step Mother In Law, who trained at the Cordon Bleu . . . ” — make me jealous, why don’t you.

As for your Bitchmas Festival, I’m saving the date. When is the kick-off?

22 Gretchen November 24, 2009 at 5:07 pm

Those turduckens are scary. Sort of weird mutant food.

I totally hear you about your Bitchmas Festival. Although I don’t think mine is as elaborate as yours, the basic mom-loses-her-mind-and-turns-into-a-harpy thing is the same.

23 Marinka November 24, 2009 at 9:07 pm

This is just the appetite suppressant that I needed for the holidays! Thanks!

24 ABDPBT November 24, 2009 at 10:43 pm

Not only have I heard of Turducken, I’ve eaten it! My brother in law is from Florida, and apparently they love it down there. Not a fan.

25 tuesday November 25, 2009 at 10:21 am

Turducken is disgusting. There I said it.

I don’t want to eat anything that was shoved up something else’s butt & cooked for 4 hours.

26 Cheryl T November 25, 2009 at 9:01 pm

Turducken? Sounds as discusting as it looks.
I have a great turkey recipe if you ever need it! It’s easy & always turns out great! Of course I don’t do gravy…someone else has to do that.
This year I have it really easy! We are going out to eat! Since there’s only 3 of us, I didn’t want to cook! Plus I don’t need all the leftovers tempting me!
Happy Thanksgiving!

27 Keely November 26, 2009 at 8:40 am

My brother is a chef so yes, we’ve heard of turducken. It’s fantastic, though I always get distracted by the fact that the first part of the word is “turd”.

I’m cooking the turkey this year. i’ve only ever done ONE, and it turned out fantastic, so surely my winning streak is over.

28 connie weiss November 26, 2009 at 10:15 am

I want to make a Turducken!

Have a great day! Happy Thanksgiving!

29 Cyndi November 27, 2009 at 6:38 am

Merry Bitchmas! And congrats on avoiding the turkey-making…same here, and I was just wondering on the 9-hour drive if it wouldn’t be easier to just cook the bird at our house ;-) We’re digging out from the move, and I hope to catch up soon! Can’t wait to see the decorations and get inspired :-)

30 Captain Dumbass November 27, 2009 at 9:33 pm

I’m looking forward to your Christmas crazy.

31 Kate Coveny Hood November 28, 2009 at 9:41 pm

That bird within a bird thing always makes me cringe. Disturbing on so many levels…

32 jessica November 28, 2009 at 11:17 pm

since you closed your comments from your most recent post, I had to come over here to tell you that I adore you and you are one of the people I truly hope I get to meet. xo xo

33 Pseudo November 29, 2009 at 2:03 pm

Score on the step mother in law. I was not so lucky in that department, but as it is the holidays I will refrain from details.

34 the mayor December 6, 2009 at 7:42 am

The turkducten invention sounds like a potential Salmonella festival to me. No Thanks. I’m thankful my husband didn’t know about this during his duck hunting days!

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