(From the archives and back by popular demand)

Okay, Randyman...You. Asked. For. It. (Randyman wanted me to write a food review, so I am choosing to write about my worst, yet most memorable Thanksgiving meal.) 

The year was 1970 and I was at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. All of my roommates were leaving for the holiday, so I decided to stay and make Thanksgiving dinner there and invite my family and a few friends. Let me set the stage by saying that I was 20 and doing a lot of drugs. A hit of acid a day keeps reality away. That's all you really need to know. The stage is now set. 

Okay...I had plenty of time to prepare. I made candles. Don't ask me why, but if I told you that I also made a tie-dyed tablecloth from a sheet, maybe that would explain the candles? I had no perception of proportions, or timing...or anything, for that matter. But I was determined to make this happen. 

Now, Mothers who have cooked endlessly for decades...they know. What do they know? They know when their son is waaayyy over his head. So, being the thoughtful Mother she was, she showed up at my place 4 days before The Dinner with a gargantuan turkey. Over 20 pounds, I think. I don't remember, but it was big.

But, even a Mother's wisdom falls short from time-to-time. Her only instruction was to defrost it for 72 hours. "Don't forget, now!"  

What do I know? 3 days before The Dinner, I followed her instructions and took the doomed turkey out of the freezer and...and...(I have a hard time confessing this)...and PLACED IT ON THE COUNTER NEXT TO THE FRIDGE..

Let's hear it for The Bird!

I'm hungry already... in the mood to check into the hospital, demand that they cut me open, stuff the bird inside- bones and all, and then sew me back up.

Turkey's OK,but it sure is played out.Maybe it could at least be FRIED...ah,hell,let's just order a couple large pizzas and get drunk !

The turkey had its chance to be stuffed... and now it's my turn! I think I'll have some more....

No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without the turkey!

gotta love the turkey !

Got confused with an earlier list item.....Its GOOD for about 2 days. No more after that.

I love turkey! Yes thankful!!

Can't go wrong w/turkey. I actually prefer it cold though. gobble

I consider turkey at must have at Thanksgiving. I prefer my turkey to be moist instead of dry. I like turkey at Christmas as well.

This is the tradition, and without it Thanksgiving is just not the same. However, as far as my favorite food goes, I have never been a turkey fan. I find their meat too tough, and often too dry if it is roasted. I can't say a roasted turkey can never be good, but I have eaten too many more resembling the likes of tasteless leather that I just don't keep my hopes up anymore. That being said, I have tried the deep fried turkeys and they are by far the best way to prepare a bird. If I have the choice between the roasted turkey or a large chicken prepared with any method, I'd choose the large chicken any day.

Not bad, but I'm OK with having it only once a year. I get more excited about the Christmas ham. Yummmm.

Die, you turkey! Great with the meal or as leftovers in a samich.

UPDATE: turkey coma... *drools*

hmmmm....turkeyyyyy

When I was a kid the local clubs and some of the churches would have a turkey shoot. You would compete by shooting at real turkeys. Then the do-gooders got involved and ruined the whole thing.

Awesome with mashed potatoes,noodles,and gravy

Only once a year in our house is an entire turkey roasted.  We might have turkey breast at least 4 or 5 times a year but there is nothing like an entire turkey (and everything else that goes with it)

My favorite-- relatively healthy, fulfilling and filling, probably my ultimate "comfort food". I can eat "Thanksgiving Dinner" any day of the year. Love that bird, especially when she's swimming in gravy and cuddling seductively alongside some stuffing and candied yams. The "Thanksgiving holiday" has lost some of its luster since I was a kid, but not the "Thanksgiving Dinner".

Thanksgiving dinner wouldn't be right without the turkey. The traditional roast turkey is great, although a deep fried turkey is more than a suitable substitute.

What a lovely topic image, I will never look at my turkey the same way ever. The biggest Thanksgiving Day fuss seems to be about making a delicious turkey, and I can't imagine the holidays without it. But I must admit, I love everything that gets put along-side it at the table.

I love turkey. What would it be like if there were no drum sticks to fight over?

Thanksgiving wouldn't be the same without it, though my family always makes a ham on the side, so it's nice to have the variety.

Can't have Thanksgiving without the bird.

we would not have a Thanksgiving without Turkey seems to be the traditional meat for us. every year. this time is the same. just the four of us this time. but the turkey will be cooking with the stuffing tomorrow morning and probably for the next couple days after that.

I never aquired the taste for turkey, plus, on the second day, it smells awful.

mmm

Growing up we always had turkey for Christmas and Thanks Giving but if you think about it you eat other meats all the year round why do we save turkey for these two days.

One Tom Turkey = pure bliss.

I love ole' Tom, but he can't be too dry. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Yes, it is for Thanksgiving that the turkeys must die! All turkeys to the wall or better yet, to the block!

De rigeur. Cannot be Thanksgiving without a well prepared, moist turkey. I'll have a leg, please!

I'm not a huge turkey fan. If Thanksgiving was about Beef, Lamb, or Chicken I would be even happier than it being Turkey Day.

Turkey never appealed to me as a kid. It is something i liked when i became older. Like rye bread. I liked it much better when i discovered i could eat it with gravy and pepper. I heard a fried turkey is good, but enyone who puts a turkey fryer on a wooden deck should be shot.

Yeah . . . but, I'd prefer my turkey to not have a bikini line (see picture in description for reference).

I am probably one of the rare few people who hates turkey! I call it the boring meat.

Fried Turkey baby, is the only way to go.

Ohhh, the best. After bringing cold turkey sandwiches to work and eating turkey subs from Subway all year long, I'm dying for some of my mom's wonderfully hot turkey. Of course, it makes me terribly sleepy but I don't mind napping after the meal!