This year it is just us for Thanksgiving and we had decided not to do the full traditional dinner since we have a full house at Christmas and will be having a big meal then which would include a turkey. I'm having a really hard time with this. I just cannot rationalize my cooking a food product that was so horribly abused and tortured! I agree with a good friend of mine who had a very similar meat discussion on her blog, that I know animals will not be treated like the family pet, but I agree that they should be treated with respect and dignity. They should be treated and processed humanely. This is my dilemma and it has made me re-think the chicken and ground turkey we use regularly.
Even though I would love to try it I don't think my family and in-laws, mom excluded since she is a vegetarian, will be into a Tofurky. So, I'm in the process of finding a turkey of the organic, natural, free range kind that is processed in a humanely manner. Not an easy task. Our local Whole Foods Market has complete turkey dinners that you can purchase. They work with the Plainville Turkey Company. I have gone to their website and they are very much into treating their turkey's naturally and humanely even in their transport to the processing plant. But my question is what then happens at the processing plant? If I ask the company about their processing will I get a straight answer? We have an amazing local deli that is also doing turkey's. They are advertising that their turkey's are all natural/organic and come from Amish country in Michigan. I'm going to check that out as well.
So, I am on the investigative hunt to find something that will work for my Turkey loving family and my ethical quandary. If anyone has an insight as to some suggestions I would be all ears since I don't think this is going to be easy.
I will keep you posted on what I find out!
1 comment:
Most "humane" farms are very happy to walk you around their farm and answer all your questions. Bring Doodlebug along and they usually want to share their passion with the young child too. Don't be afraid to seem "pesky," really the farmers enjoy it. ...unless they are busy with harvest or butchering.
And, if you plan in advance, you can usually find a pasture raised turkey. But often you have to order in the spring. And they cost an arm and leg! I am working on more of our garden harvest as part of the meal and working away from the turkey as the main part.
Going against the tradional grain is a challenge! Don't I know :)
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