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1800-1860 - American Holiday and Thanksgiving Home Cooks
Roast Turkey is a centerpiece dish for Thanksgiving and other holidays, featuring a whole turkey seasoned and roasted until golden brown with moist interior. A symbol of American celebrations, it has evolved with regional and family variations across eras.
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Difficulty
Medium
Prep time
20 minutes
Cook time
3 hours 30 minutes
Total time
3 hours 50 minutes
Servings
10-12
Region
New England Thanksgiving and nineteenth-century holiday kitchens
Era introduced
1800-1860
Introduced by
American Holiday and Thanksgiving Home Cooks
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Roast Turkey is entrenched as the iconic main course of American Thanksgiving, symbolizing abundance and gratitude. Its preparation crosses eras and regions with countless variations, from the colonial period to modern times. The bird, typically seasoned simply with herbs, salt, and butter, is slow-roasted to retain juiciness and develop savory skin. This dish reflects the melding of settler culinary customs with Native harvest traditions, central to the American holiday experience.
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