After the initial shock, the women rallied. The able ones flocked into the kitchen to clean the considerable greasy dripping extended all over the floor. The intact turkey was rescued from where it had slithered and was put on the big wooden cutting board for the required "rest" before slicing.
My mom, an excellent cook, was able to swiftly make considerable and delicious gravy from the browned pieces in the bottom of the pan.
Within twenty minutes or so the beautiful turkey was grandly placed on the festive table, the savory gravy was in the gravy boat, the prayer was said, the bird was sliced, the feast began....and the menfolk and the older aunts who had been sitting in the living room were never aware of the extent of the near-catastrophe in the kitchen.
As an aside, I might mention that today's turkeys are bred to have huge (and lean) white meat breasts. The bird is now like one big breast. Therefore, there's nowhere near the huge amount of drippings and scrapings after roasting as was the case in yesteryear. This is also the case with other fowl and meats today due to "leaness" being all the rage....very little drippings and pan crusties after roasting.
Moral of this Thanksgiving saga.......always have a couple jars of store-bought gravy on hand for holiday emergencies. It could happen to you.
Leni
GASP!... so do I, Kraft has a pretty good one... LOLOLOL
There are many wonderful traditions that Modernized, American Italians’, (meaning the setting aside of Slaughtering of a farm animal on the backyard patio,(rolling eyes)) that are still observed on various Holidays, almost all of which pertain to food..
One that is still common, having a religious cogitation, is the eating of seven different fish and seafood, on Christmas Eve.. However, that too has been somewhat modified.. The boiling of live Octopus, and Eel, has met with some growing resistance in recent years.. Ha!
We still observe a few of the more widely, and socially acceptable, traditional entrees, deserts, and appetizers on our Holiday fare.. A somewhat unique Lasagna, and/or, Ravioli are always present in the feast.. Snails, and Squid are still favorites among my brood.. Side dishes, Italian hors d oeuvres, canapes, and finger-foods are in abundance, and add color and variety to the festivities..