With Thanksgiving a week away, we put our focus on the turkey, which usually sits at the center of the holiday table. However, the Pilgrims may not have eaten turkey on the first Thanksgiving in 1621. Edward Winslow, an English leader, wrote that they feasted on geese, swans and venison. This tradition continued for quite some time, and by the 1800s, turkey became the centerpiece of the dinner table on Thanksgiving.

There are many delicious ways to prepare a turkey. First and foremost, brining a turkey is very important in order to achieve a moist and flavorful bird. The brining process includes soaking the turkey in a salt-water solution before cooking. There is the traditional way of roasting it, which can be flavored in many ways to enhance the taste. A turkey can also be deep fried, which cooks much faster. Although it is not the healthiest way to cook a turkey, it sure is delicious. Smoking a turkey is another great way to enjoy it on Thanksgiving. Smoking a turkey can provide a unique taste from the different wood chips used and helps keep it moist and flavorful.

Quaker Valley Foods sells about two million pounds per season, offering whole turkeys in a variety of sizes, ranging from 10 to 32 pounds. Below are some amazingly delicious turkey recipes the whole family can enjoy for Thanksgiving.

Brining a Turkey

Roasted Turkey

Smoked Turkey

Deep Fried Turkey