The turkey is a native bird of the American continent. It was not until 1519 that the first turkeys followed the Spanish to travel to Europe. In England alone, history records a sailor named William Strickland bringing this bird back to the country in 1526.
With a large and chubby appearance, the turkey quickly attracted the attention of the noble family. According to legend, King Henry VIII was the first monk to include turkey in the royal menu, replacing traditional luxury dishes at that time such as khaki meat or feather.
One of the most curious is the name " Turkey" in English. There is a hypothesis that the first traders imported blood cockles from Africa to Europe via the Turkish route ( Turkey), so people call them "turkey chickens". When they saw that the new bird from the Americas had a similar appearance, they used this name as an identification.
The biggest turning point in making turkey a national dish is thanks to the classic literary work "A Christmas Carol" (1843) by the great playwright Charles Dickens. The image of the character Scrooge changing his personality and giving a giant turkey to the family of poor secretary Cratchit has been deeply imprinted in the public's mind. Chicken is not only a dish, but also represents the spirit of love and generosity during the festival season.
The reason why turkey dominates the table is still the reality. With a size superior to our chickens or ducks, a turkey can serve a large family.
According to the British Poultry Council, which represents the UK's poultry industry, it is estimated that around 10 million turkeys are consumed each Christmas in the UK alone.
Although the processing method may change over time, roasted turkey is always a "thitive" connecting generations, reminding us of the value of solidarity and gratitude in the last days of the year.
