Aternatives to the Same Old Thanksgiving Bird

Wall Street Journal ^ | Nov. 8, 2013

[nickcarraway]

This year, trade in the standard-issue entree for a bird with a bit more flavor. Here's where to find the best quail, pheasant, wood pigeon, duck and goose

'LET'S FACE IT, turkey really isn't all that interesting," said Hank Shaw, author of the new cookbook "Duck, Duck Goose: Recipes and Techniques for Cooking Ducks and Geese, Both Wild and Domesticated" (Ten Speed Press). "I mean, I like turkey OK." Pause. "It's fine. But gamebirds are much more interesting. They taste more of themselves," said Mr. Shaw.

That taste can vary widely. Some gamebirds, like quail and squab, can be mild enough to be palatable even to fans of skinless, boneless chicken breast. At the other end of the spectrum, the diminutive wild Scottish wood pigeon has an intensely gamy flavor; you can say its meat comes in two colors, dark and darker. Though not technically gamebirds, domestic geese are another species with a good deal of character. Fed almost exclusively on grass, they can have mineral undertones similar to those of grass-fed beef.

[Boogieman]

You can get creative any day of the year. Turkey day is for turkey!

[Boogieman]

Hmm, just be careful you don't get a lesbian seagull

[liberalh8ter]

Chestnut and apple stuffed buzzard.....it's what's for dinner.

[VeniVidiVici]

Mmmm. Mineral undertones

[CrazyIvan]

“Pigeon? Why not a recipe for Seagull?”

I have read several stories of shipwreck survivors who managed to catch gulls. Even starved near death, they couldn't eat them.

[spel_grammer_an_punct_polise]

Good ol’ Mom’s turkey with oyster stuffing!

[Excellence]

We had Cornish game hen last year. It was good oven baked but rotisserie would have been better.

[Rodamala]

Wolf Noodle Soup with Koala Flambé as the main course. Candied Goat Anus for a nice light dessert.

[nothingnew]

I'll take the "gamey" anytime. Hunting and taking a rabbit or two, a pheasant and a woodcock or two (which is hard) is my idea of Thanksgiving Dinner.

FMCDH(BITS)

[Redcitizen]

Here's that turducken. http://www.examiner.com/article/turducken-of-the-sea-a-shark-within-a-shark-caught-by-researchers

[BenLurkin]

‘turkey really isn’t all that interesting,”

http://www.johnspeedie.com/healy/bull.wav

[reed13k]

I do the thanksgiving cooking - youngest and I want the bird, mom and the elder want ham.... of course that means we’re overruled. Tried to compromise on individual cornish hens, but no dice. Tempted to foist a goose on her for Xmas...just ain’t right ham for TGiving...sigh

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

We are having a small turkey. If more family says that they are coming we will have a ham as well but turkey is a must for Thanksgiving.

And.....

I like turkey.

Tell 'em that if they want a ham fine but you and youngest will have turkey.

[trebb]

"Deep fried turkey hands down." Never had it, but it sounds so good.

Deep frying makes it crisp on the outside (skin, not meat) and seals in the juices for a real treat to those who have suffered the dryness that can plague a baked turkey. Very worth it.

[Orbiting_Rosie's_Head]

Did you ever see a wing like that on a duck?..Yeah, but t's a shame you can't eat duck on Thanksgiving