Diana --

I am the editor of www.schwartzreport.net and would like to publish
this lovely small essay on the turkey.  It is an elegant and
instructive piece of writing.  May I have your permission to do so?

-- Stephan


Stephan A. Schwartz
Email:
[log in to unmask]
Personal Website:
www.stephanaschwartz.com
Schwartzreport:
www.schwartzreport.net
Explore Schwartzreport:
  www.explorejournal.com
Schwartzreport Annual Conference:
www.schwartzreportconference.com




On 20 Nov 2006, at 12:12, Diana Bennett wrote:

> Where did the Turkey come from?  -- It is mentioned in the new book
> "The
> Virginia Naturalist", a compilation of essays that John Trott wrote
> for the
> newspapers in Loudoun-Fauquier Co area in the late 1990's. On page
> 327:
>
> The fat turkey on the Thanksgiving table is descended from a race
> of turkeys
> native to Mexico.  When Spanish Conquistadors landed at Vera Cruz
> in 1519
> they encountered an advanced civilization.  Along with Chihuahuas, the
> Aztecs bred turkeys for food.  They also ate each other in ritual
> cannibalism, but that is another story.
>
>            Protein from meat was rare in ancient Mexico.  The
> Spaniards
> were appalled by cannibalism even if the dish was prepared with
> chilies and
> tomatoes as the Aztecs claimed.  Eating dog meat, no matter how it was
> prepared, did not appeal to the Europeans either.  But roast turkey
> was a
> different matter altogether.
>
>            Along with other delicacies from the New World such as
> vanilla,
> chocolate, tomatoes, chili peppers and squash, the domesticated
> turkey was
> taken back to Spain where it was a sensation.
>
>            There was confusion from the start regarding the origin
> of this
> great bird.  It was initially thought that it had originated in
> Turkey.
> Hence, the name we use today.  I do not know what the Aztecs called it
> though it probably had at least six syllables with many X's and was
> unpronounceable.
>
>            From Spain, turkeys spread to France and across the
> channel to
> England.  The tamed and potentially juicy turkey of Mexico was
> brought to
> North America soon after the Plymouth colony was established in New
> England.
> During the many years of breeding for food, the speed, intelligence
> and wary
> watchfulness were erased from the turkey's behavior. Domesticated
> turkeys
> became fat and stupid.  A few years ago it was common slang to
> refer to
> someone of limited intelligence and unpredictable behavior as a
> 'turkey'.  I
> irritated a number of my young friends by preaching that 'domesticated
> turkey' would be more appropriate.  Our native wild turkey ". . .
> is one
> smart bird," I would say.  Usually I was ignored.
>
>
>
> Diana Bennett
>
> To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the
> instructions
> at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html


To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions
at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html