What is a Heritage Turkey?
“A heritage turkey is one of a variety of strains of domestic turkey which retains historic characteristics that are no longer present in the majority of turkeys raised for consumption since the mid-20th century. Heritage turkeys can be differentiated from other domestic turkeys in that they are biologically capable of being raised in a manner that more closely matches the natural behavior and life cycle of wild turkeys. Heritage turkeys have a relatively long lifespan and a much slower growth rate than turkeys bred for industrial agriculture, and unlike industrially-bred turkeys, can reproduce without artificial insemination.”
Below are some places to find these turkeys in Denver.
Tony’s Market
The professional chefs and event coordinators behind Tony’s Fine Catering have been making gourmet meals to feed a crowd for over 10 years! While your guest list may be significantly smaller than theirs, these tried-and-true tips for meal prep and entertaining will help you create an easy, relaxing, and thoughtful Thanksgiving Day!
Marcyzk’s Fine Foods
Marcyzk’s have Willie Bird turkeys in the 10- to 28-pound range. They will be $4.49/lb. To reserve one, please click here to email the Quirky Turkey Desk Clerky. Please give your name, phone number, the weight of the turkey you would like (10-12 pounds; 12-14 pounds; 14-16 pounds; etc., all the way up to 26-28 pounds), and at which store you would like to pick it up.
Blackbelly
Celebrate thanksgiving with certified organic turkeys from Blackbelly Butcher. Birds are raised on free range on 100% organic feed, free of antibiotics, hormones or pesticides. Turkeys range in size from 14-18 lbs, at $6.50 per lb, including a Blackbelly brine kit. You have the option to choose a small or large size bird in that weight range. Give a call (720-479-8296) or come by to place your order.
Mary’s Turkeys
Mary’s Free-Range Heritage turkeys are based on the first breed of turkeys that existed in the United States. They breed naturally as well as run and fly! These extra activities result in larger thigh meat and slightly less breast meat than found on a typical turkey. All of these traits result in a superior tasting turkey that takes less time to cook than a regular turkey!
The Local Butcher
Located in Central Market, the Local Butcher will carry Heritage Turkey from Good Shepard Poultry ranch at 1o.99/lb. Stop in to make your order today!
Western Daughters Butcher Shoppe
Get your heritage turkey somewhere else?
Let us know where so we can share with our Slow Food Community!
Looking for a turkey alternative this year?
Try porchetta! In Italy large turkeys are hard to get your hands on, so a more traditional Italian meal will serve porchetta.
“Porchetta [porˈketta] is a savoury, fatty, and moist boneless pork roast of Italian culinary tradition. The body of the pig is gutted, deboned, arranged carefully stuffed with liver, wild fennel, all fat and skin still on spitted, and/or roasted, traditionally over wood for 8+ hours. Porchetta is usually heavily salted in addition to being stuffed with garlic, rosemary, fennel, or other herbs, often wild. Porchetta has been selected by the Italian Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy as a prodotto agroalimentare tradizionale (“traditional agricultural-alimentary product”, one of a list of traditional Italian foods held to have cultural relevance).”
Check in with local butchers like Blackbelly, Western Daughters Butcher Shoppe and the Local Butcher for your meal!
0 Comments