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Where to purchase a fresh turkey?

Discussion in 'Area Restaurants, Dining and Food' started by allgirl, Nov 7, 2007.

  1. allgirl

    allgirl New Member

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    Can anyone tell me where I can get a fresh turkey for Thanksgiving? We've decided to forego the Butterball this year and give fresh a try. Thanks in advance for any help.
     
  2. foodie

    foodie New Member

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    allgirl and others--

    I think the best place for Organic and Hormone Free Turkeys are the following with web sites/info below--

    www.wholefoodsmarket.com (Whole Foods Market newest store in Fairfax at Fair Lakes Pkwy. They have smoked turkeys, fresh turkeys, and FULL turkey dinners.)

    www.homefarmstore.com (Home Store is a local Middleburg, VA are Organic and local raised Butcher Shop.)

    www.lancastercountydutchmarket.com (Lancaster County Dutch Market is located in Germantown, MD and is an Amish Market with an old-fashioned Butcher Shop. Great prices and fresh "off the farm" poultry including fresh and smoked turkeys.)

    I have alot more resources for Thanksgiving food resources if you need them.

    Foodie:happygrin:
     
  3. Mucha Lucha

    Mucha Lucha New Member

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    The Home Farm Store wants $135 for a 10 lb. turkey.
    That's silly.
    Buy a turkey at Wegmans and give $100 to feed the needy.
     
  4. JLC

    JLC Member

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    I've looked up what the difference is between a fresh & frozen turkey and all I can come up with is price. Plus, the shelf life on a fresh turkey is only three days, so you'd have to wait until the Tuesday before Thanksgiving to buy it.
     
  5. tyger31

    tyger31 Member

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    In my opinion, a fresh turkey is definitely worth it....the taste is much better. I usually go to Wegmans the Mon. or Tues. before Thanksgiving to purchase. What's the big deal waiting until Tues.? I've always got what I wanted, plus you can call and have them hold one for you if you're looking for a particular size. Fresh turkeys are the way to go for me. Jucier too, along with the fresh taste.
     
  6. erica

    erica New Member

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    I believe you can get a fresh free range and/or organic turkey from For Goodness Sake in Leesburg (Market Station under Tuskies). Tell 'em Erica sent you!
     
  7. JLC

    JLC Member

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    I think it depends on how well you are able to manage your time. ;) Last year I was hosting Thanksgiving dinner for 18 and getting my turkey the week before helped me on my to-do list. But I freely admit to not being the most organized person.

    I did end up going to Wegman's on the day before Thanksgiving. Never again...

    We brine our thawed turkey and never have a problem with it not being juicy.
     
  8. Zeratul

    Zeratul Well-Known Member

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    JLC... I think you hit on the key there. If moisture is a key for someone, the best thing to do is soak it in brine (and some seasoning if you want). To me, the big incentive for going fresh would be if you got one that was more of an organic choice. Otherwise, with proper preparation, you could not tell the difference (my experience)...

    Search the internet for turkey brine and come up with a bunch of methods/recipes.
     
  9. Pats_fan

    Pats_fan Former Resident

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    Another sure-fire way to get a moist turkey is to fry it (there is a thread about fried turkeys on these forums for those who are interested). I'm traveling to visit relatives in Cape Cod this Thanksgiving and will be bringing my frying equipment along with me...
     
  10. foodie

    foodie New Member

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    MuchaLucha and others--

    Yes, sometimes fresh farm-raised turkeys are expensive. For alternative place to purchase local foods and meats--check out my thread under "Area Restaurants..." and the post is called "Organics Odyssey..." for info and web sites. One such place is listed below--

    www.localharvest.org (Local Harvest is a great place for national and local farmers for meats, produce, etc.)

    Foodie
     
  11. Mucha Lucha

    Mucha Lucha New Member

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    Foodie or others- While reading through the link provided,
    I saw information on CSA (Community Supported Agriculture).
    Does anyone have experience with CSA's?
     
  12. foodie

    foodie New Member

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    MuchaLucha and others--

    Yes, we do. Before we purchased our property to farm and build our home--we used Great Country Farms CSA in Bluemont, VA. Kate and her family are also friends of ours.

    We periodically volunteer to help them with their farm needs, etc. There are great resources for CSA(s). If you wish--I can also provide a list of places to go to for CSA(s), other types of Cooperatives (Co-ops) besides just for food needs, and other nutritional info.

    Please PM or post concerns/questions under the "Area Restaurants..." thread under the post "Organics Odysseys...". I am checking with United Foods (see "Organics..." post info) for forming a Cooperative in the Eastern part of Northern VA. The Cooperative currently that I belong to meets in Purcellville/Round Hill areas. I have put a call back to my contacts with UNFI to find out the procedures, etc.

    For us to have a Cooperative to work--we need a "meeting place" that someone or a group will donate (i.e. a church or community center to separate the food and sundry items, people to work in a "cooperative" way to assist with orders, sorting, financing, etc.). Large transfer trucks (big rigs) delivers the food and unloads the ordered items and it is left to the Co-op members to sort and organize the deliveries. Send products back that are not correct, etc.

    But in the end--overall picture--you save alot of money and can shop monthly and save time. Plus it is a "new way" to form a "community" to help others, etc. We can have a Tax ID number and not pay sales taxes, etc.

    I will keep you posted.

    Foodie
     
  13. foodie

    foodie New Member

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    Fellow Foodies--

    I just received a fax from some Mennonite and Amish friends their current Thanksgiving Specials at the Lancaster County Dutch Market in Germantown, MD. Their prices are great--I will post info under thread called "Area Restaurants..." under post called "Amish Markets And Other Market Sources ..." with contact info, etc.

    Good eats--

    Foodie
     
  14. Zeratul

    Zeratul Well-Known Member

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    ...sorry that just read funny - fax from Amish friends????
     
  15. foodie

    foodie New Member

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    Zeratul--

    Yes, it is funny. As I said--the Amish use fax machines in their businesses only.

    Foodie:)
     
  16. Mr Rogers

    Mr Rogers Active Member

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    BRINING is the BOMB!!! All turkeys, BTW are frozen. Fresh ones go through a flash freeze. Frozen are frozen solid.

    I have done fresh and frozen for many years and found no significant difference. Read more in "THE BEST RECIPE" my COOKS ILLUSTRATED!
     
  17. foodie

    foodie New Member

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    Fellow Foodies--

    Here's another place in McLean, VA to purchase Organic Poultry and Organic Meats. We haven't been to this business lately--but feel free to check it out.

    We have heard from friends that the shop is pretty good.

    Web site is--

    www.theorganicbutcher.com (The Organic Butcher's site/info.)

    Foodie
     
  18. Charlotte

    Charlotte New Member

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    I'd like to try brining this year myself. One question though - are the drippings from a brined bird too salty for gravy?
     
  19. cindyb

    cindyb New Member

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  20. JLC

    JLC Member

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    Alton Brown has a really good, amusing Thanksgiving episode (Romancing the Bird) that goes into detail about brining and how it works. It's on the Food Network today (11/10) at 3:00.
     

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