Why turkey?

Question

Please can someone tell me why we eat turkey on christmas day and which countries follow the tradition and how long ago did it start?
Many Thanks.

Answer 1

We eat Turkey because it was the fashion in France, at Royal Banquets, and the Americans ate the birds for thanksgiving.

Ok, lets go back to the start. the Turkish independant republic of the Ragusa (modern Dubrovnik) financed the expeditions of Christopher Colombus, and part of thier reward was a breeding pair of Wild Indie Birds.

Modern Turkeys are derrived from two wild species - the North American Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) and the Central American Ocellated Turkey (Meleagris ocellata).

The modern domesticated turkey was developed from the Wild Turkey. However the first european birds were from the Ocellated Turkey - which was probably also domesticated by the Mayans.

They were sent to the Ottoman kingdom, where they were bred, and re-introduced back to Europe as Turkish Birds, or Turkeys. Thus the European name for this American Bird was introduced to the new settlers in North America. Wild turkeys were probably first domesticated by native Mexicans. Spaniards brought tame Mexican turkeys to Europe in 1519, but the Turkish variety had reached England by 1524. The Pilgrims actually brought several turkeys to America on the voyage in 1620.

As for christmas it started late. the birds were introduced to England banqueting society in 1680, with William of Orange, and In England, during the 1700's, turkeys were walked to market in large herds. Turkey farmers often covered the birds' feet with little booties to protect them on the long journey to the London market. These were probally bred from the M.gallopavo genus, brought back from new England.

Across the pond, Ben Franklin thought the North American wild turkey should be the national bird. Of course, the turkey of his day was nothing like the domesticated descendants we know today. The wild turkey of Ben Franklin's day was a brightly plumed, cunning bird of flight.

Charles Dickens' The Christmas Story is credited for popularizing the serving of turkey for Christmas dinner.

Answer 2

The tradition used to be goose for Christmas lunch, to tell you the truth I just put it down to the fact that people couldn't afford goose and as turkey was cheaper they plumped for that instead, no idea if this is right, but thankfully for me I am glad I don't have to eat it again until next year, have a wonderful new year.

Answer 3

Originally the tradition on Christmas day is Goose, but im guessing it is to expensive so it went to turkey! ( so iv been told anyways! )

Answer 4

No reason really. Heck my family and I where tired of turkey so we ate Bar-B-Que for Christmas. It just another tradition that people blindly follow

Answer 5

Well, in France, we eat turkey whenever we fancy it, not when tradition forces it on us. Sounds French, doesn't it!?
Honestly, though, it makes Christmas seem like a bloody holocaust! Why turkeys and not salmon, best beef, lobster...?
Humphtff!

Answer 6

I dont even like turkey, but we have it every year!

its dry and vile.

sauasage meet any day ! x

Answer 7

It is a roast beast like beef ham or lamb they are roasted meats for the Christmas feast. some cook all the meats.

Answer 8

~We planned on ham, but ended up having meatloaf this year!
Is that weird?~

Answer 9

I don't know, but its not very nice meat. dry horrid stuff.

Answer 10

i dono