I had the privilege of ordering, cooking and eating a heritage turkey from Alexander Farm this…read moreThanksgiving. What a treat! I so happy that when I saw the sign for ordering at the Sunset Valley Farmer's market, I sprung for it, even though I didn't know what a heritage turkey even was, other than it was free range. Well, it is more than that.
From the website: http://www.localharvest.org/features/heritage-turkeys.jsp
"Prized for their rich flavor and beautiful plumage, Heritage Turkeys are the ancestors of the common Broad-breasted White industrial breed of turkey that comprises 99.99% of the supermarket turkeys sold today. But the Heritage Breeds still exist and are making a comeback. Most breeds of heritage turkey were developed in the United States and Europe over hundreds of years, and were identified in the American Poultry Association's turkey Standard of Perfection of 1874. These breeds include the Standard Bronze, Bourbon Red, Jersey Buff, Slate, Black Spanish, Narragansett and White Holland."
The experience at Alexander Farm was cool. I, of course, forgot to pick up my turkey at the right day, so they called me and I drove over before work just after sunrise on Wednesday morning, with a cooler in my trunk. The Farm is only about 8 miles east of the Airport and it really is a farm. The gentleman who met me at the gate assured me that my turkey had lived a good life hanging out in the pretty pasture behind the barn. How cool is it to pick up your turkey from the very farm it was raised in??!! All the other animals at the farm looked pretty happy, too, enjoying the beautiful morning.
As for the turkey, it was AMAZING!! Although much leaner and less breasty than the factory farmed grocery store models, I was amazed at how juicy and flavorful this bird was. I have always hated the white meat of the turkey and went straight for the wings and thighs, but this turkey's breast was just fantastically moist and tender and delicious and had real flavor. It was not like any bird I have ever had before. So so so so worth it. It really wasn't very expensive, given that these turkeys take twice as long to grow. At 5.99 a pound, I think these are probably the least expensive heritage birds available in the country. A recent article I read in my research said that they typically sold out quick at $10.00 a pound most places.
I seriously feel very lucky to have had the experience of eating this bird. I don't think I will ever eat a factory farmed bird again. Good job, Alexander farms!!