William Strickland from Yorkshire introduced turkeys to Britain more than 500 years ago. Even though King Edward VII made turkey eating fashionable at Christmas, it was King Henry VIII who first ate turkey in the 16th century. Lily traces the culinary history of stuffed turkeys, a favourite Christmas dinner, in the weekly column, exclusively for Different Truths.
I begin with wishing you all a joyful festive season, hope you are with the family and loved ones on Christmas Day. Most families continue to follow traditions when it comes to cooking up a satisfying meal to adorn a groaning table.
Did you all ever wonder along with me, as to why turkey is the preferred bird to munch into, on the 25th of December? A majority of Britons would be aghast if anything other than roast turkey was served that day. I staggered to read that 87 percent of the people in U.K. believe that something would be amiss if Christmas supper did not have stuffed-turkey with gravy on the menu!
This fondness for the big bird by many countries, during this festive season, called for some probing. William Strickland from Yorkshire introduced these birds to Britain more than 500 years ago. During his travels, he acquired six birds from American Indian traders. Geese, boar’s head and peacocks graced tables during Christmas before this. With the advent of turkeys in Britain, people realised that hens were 
needed for their eggs and cows for milk. Venison was tough to cook so the meat of choice became turkey!
Another sensible reason for this choice was that a whole family and extended family could easily feast off one huge bird. The leftover meat can be easily used to make sandwiches, pies, and salads.
Even though King Edward VII made turkey eating fashionable at Christmas, it was King Henry VIII who first ate turkey in the 16th century.
Till the 1950s, it was considered a luxury to eat turkey and only the truly wealthy served and consumed it. Only in the last 60 years has it come centre stage. It is said that an individual had to work a week before he could afford a turkey in the 1930s.
I was astonished to find out that not all European countries serve a traditional turkey dinner. The Portuguese serve codfish, the Germans partake of venison or boar and the Swedes eat shellfish or caviar.
There is much anxiety for young women, who have to carry the tradition forward and cook a fine roast turkey for the family. Even though the internet is an ocean of recipes yet who can beat grandma in taste and technique? Feverish phone calls are made by eager young mothers.
Go ahead all ye festive celebration addicts and slurp on a traditional Christmas dinner of turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce and vegetables like turnip, carrots, parsnips and the like.
©Lily Swarn
Photos from the Internet
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