WiNK

Does Anyone Really Like Turkey?

by: Sophia Cilento

Turkey is the centerpiece of a Thanksgiving spread, but why? Historians think that turkey wasn't even at the first few Thanksgivings, but it started to be served because it was big and easy to obtain for dinner. At the end of a harvest, New England Settlers in the 1600s would have typically celebrated with venison, geese, or duck, until they started hunting turkeys. Now the turkey is such a big deal that farmers used to present turkeys to the President so that he could celebrate Thanksgiving with one of their turkeys.

Personally, I've never loved turkey at thanksgiving. I eat and enjoy it in a sandwich the next day, but I'd much rather have a plate full of stuffing. In conversation, I found I heard more people say they dislike turkey than like it. This made me decide to do some research. First, I had to look globally; I found that 30% of Americans say they don't like turkey at all and that, overall, it is the second most disliked Thanksgiving food. I then narrowed my research down to our Wooster community. The results were definitely shocking but showed the diverse taste of turkey preferences.

So as shown in the pie chart, the majority of our community enjoys turkey. While some don't love it but eat it anyway, a very small percentage don't enjoy it and don't eat it. I was shocked to get as many yeses as I did.

I gave everyone a chance to say a little more about their choice. Thank you so much to everyone that answered, it was really fun to hear everyone's thoughts on turkey.

Here is what some people had to say!

Mr. Henderson: "It has to be cooked thoroughly (and NOT be a butterball) but then yes, it's delicious!"

Luke Thornbrough: My family for the last three years just makes a full chicken instead of a full turkey because we all realized we'd rather be eating chicken instead.

Mrs. Coleman: I like turkey, but I only eat a bite or two and it has to be paired with my mom's gravy. The next day's turkey sandwiches are even better!

Austin Kriegel: I just think that it's a classic that you can never go wrong with on Thanksgiving.

Brady Carpenter: It's so bland, the other side dishes are the best yet the turkey gets all the credit.

Ms. Park: Yes, I like turkey, but I like the leftovers even more!

Lele Flemming: Turkey isn't my favorite meat but it's really good.

Henry Rexford: I have never liked turkey.

Elise: It has to be moist otherwise no thank you.

Ms. Hooper: Turkey is gross, period.

Mr. L.:I enjoy turkey.

Kaete "Sascha" Weinseiss: Personally my family is mostly vegetarian. I like meat but my parents choose to cook that without meat. So when Thanksgiving rolls around, I get excited. I love when my grandma comes by and we all cook together. I think cooking is the best part.

Mrs. Thaler: We broke tradition during COVID and made chicken instead, and we were all so much happier. We went back to turkey last year since that is the tradition, but this year, we're making chicken. We all like it so much better and eat more of it, and isn't that the point?

Jonah Bates: Turkey is always awesome and there's always extra to reheat for lunch the rest of the week.

Coach Mike: I'm a vegetarian so no turkey for me.

Alex Byrnes: It's so dry and bland.

Christos Chiotis: I'd say the best way to enjoy thanksgiving food is to make a sandwich out of the leftovers.

Turkey or No Turkey... Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Sources:

• https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/24/why-do-we-eat-turkey-on-thanksgiving-the-news-with-shepard-smith.html#:~:text=%E2%80%9CTurkey%20became%20the%20national%20dish,south%20moved%20westward%20over%20time.%E2%80%9D
• https://fox8.com/news/turkey-on-thanksgiving-may-not-be-as-popular-as-you-think-here-are-the-most-hated-thanksgiving-day-foods/
• https://www.bhg.com/thanksgiving/planning/why-eat-turkey-on-thanksgiving/