Americans can't just leave well enough alone. Somewhere down the line (and it did not start with the Wampanoag and the Puritans) turkey became the national food of choice on Thanksgiving Day. People stuck the bird in the oven and that was that.
But no longer does a simple turkey satisfy us. We want bigger, better, deep fried. I myself have fallen prey to the alluring possibilities of turkey cooking, regardless of how insanely frightening this video is...
Cooking is technically the transfer of heat to an edible object. When you think of it like that the possibilities start feeling endless. I've recently convinced my parents this Thanksgiving to forego the giant hormone-fueled tortured avian monster we usually squeeze into our oven for three modest free range organic turkeys equal in pounds.
I will prepare each of these turkeys in three separate ways:
A. Smoke (on a covered grill)
B. Deep Fry (in a cheap tin bucket in the backyard)
C. Roast (the classic way)
And I will get back to you with the results and hopefully some footage or photos (and all of my fingers). I've yet to make any decisions on brines or rubs as of yet.
Wish me luck and in the meantime please watch this turkey explode:
Related:
