Chickens picketing an Istanbul house for equal rights with turkeys.

The Advent Calendar, like most of the Victorian British customs we now think of as “traditional”, originated in Germany in the mid 19th century and was imported during a period of German cultural imperialism spurred on by the presence of the Prince Consort, Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

It began as a marking of the days of Advent using chalk marks or candles and evolved through the use of religious text or imagery into the current fashion, where sometimes little treats are found behind divers calendrical doors and windows, numbered for the days preceding Christmas Day.

One of the most universal of Christmas culinary traditions is the inclusion of fowl on the menu and, for most, the king of fowls is turkey.

Turkeys were first domesticated by the Aztecs and were subsequently introduced into Europe by the Spaniards in 1519. Within a decade they had found their way to England, where by the mid 17^th Century the thousands of Christmas turkeys being driven along the roads into London from East Anglia were causing seasonal traffic jams. In an early example of taking coals to Newcastle, the turkey was then repatriated back to the Americas from Britain by the pilgrims.

The etymology of our word “turkey” is uncertain; the Aztecs called it xuehxolotl. The Guinea fowl was also originally known as turkey in England, most probably due to its importation by Mediterranean traders, many of whom were Turks. The current use of "turkey" for the new import probably arose either as a result of confusion between the two types of  bird, or because the newcomer also came from “Turkish” traders. This well travelled fowl seems fated to be attributed to exotic but incorrect locales. In Turkey and France its name suggests Indian origins: the Turks actually know it as hindi, whereas in Hindi the bird is known as peru, probably borrowed from Portuguese traders who used that name. The Dutch and Scandinavians all relate it more specifically to Calcutta. In Arabic it is often known as the Roman or Ethiopian bird, although in Egypt it is known as the Greek bird. The Greeks, among others, sensibly blame the French.

Do you desire turkey for Christmas? This first advent treat is one of my favourites for hot weather turkey, making it is far more appropriate than sweltering over a roast where Christmas falls in the Antipodean Summer.

27  He rained flesh also upon them as dust,

and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea:

28  and he let it fall in the midst of their camp,

round about their habitations.

29  So they did eat, and were well filled:

for he gave them their own desire;

Psalm 78

Festive Turkey and Cucumber Salad with Redcurrants

Serves 4

Salad
1/2 large continental cucumber
400g cooked white turkey meat
60g almonds halved & toasted
60g redcurrants
cos lettuce leaves

Dressing
1 tbsp water
1 tbsp chopped fresh mint
2 tbsp walnut oil
1 tbsp vinegar
1 tbsp honey
1-2 tsp sugar (optional to taste)
pinch salt (optional to taste)

Score the cucumber skin using a scorer or fork and slice diagonally in ~5mm slices.
Slice the turkey thinly and toss with almonds and cucumber.
Combine dressing ingredients and shake well.
Toss dressing through salad, chill well.
Just before serving lightly spoon redcurrants through the salad.

Serve in cups of cos garnished with sprigs of redcurrants.
Chicken may be substituted for turkey if unavailable or preferred.

I sometimes shred rather than slice the meat as it allows it to 'hold' more dressing.

Please remember that (in the US, which due to American cultural imperialism means everywhere) December 1^st is also supposedly the first day of National Indigestion Season - even if this turns out to be an urban myth it points to a deeper truth - for does not the Psalmist continue:

30  they were not estranged from their lust:

but while their meat was yet in their mouths,

31  the wrath of God came upon them,

and slew the fattest of them
Psalm 78

So don’t overindulge, even in cold turkey, lest you suffer the fate of the Israelites.

Cold Turkey - John Lennon.

On a lighter note, December 1^st is also the anniversary of the invention of that most Christian of games  -  Bingo.

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