Thanksgiving Prep

It is Turkey Time! Well, almost. Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday because the combo of turkey + dressing + gravy + pie is simply the best meal ever. It always feels strange to celebrate the holiday in the spring (hence why we’ve started the 4th of Thanksgiving tradition in July) but we try to do something every year anyway.

This year I’ve noticed there are a lot more turkeys about. In the past, I’ve gone to Farro - a higher end grocery store that has really taken it up a notch this year with a dedicated Thanksgiving page on their website! - and our local butcher, St. John’s Butchery, and had absolutely delicious birds. This year, however, my regular New World had a dedicated turkey fridge which was clearly quite popular:

The largest turkeys available are 5.75kg and cost NZ$85.99. A 5.75kg bird is 12.65 lbs., and NZ$85.99 which is equivalent to US$52.45. That breaks down to US$4.15 per pound for a cage free turkey. I checked the going rate at a US grocery store and found a similar sized bird for US$31.74. Yes, the Kiwi birds are more expensive, but they are free range birds probably more akin to an American organic turkey.

Other Thanksgiving staple foods are easily accessible. Martha’s Backyard is fully stocked with Libby’s canned pumpkin (with a limit of three cans) at a cost of NZ$9.30 per can, or US$5.68. I found the same 29 oz can in Austin for US$4.37. I know some Americans are diehards for the canned pumpkin, but I would strongly encourage people to make their own pumpkin puree. It is shockingly easy: Chop the pumpkin into cubes. Boil the chunks of pumpkin until soft, then strain the water and mash away. Season as sweet or spicy as you like.

Cranberries aren’t a ubiquitous November staple here, but you can get them. Some New Worlds carry Goodness Kitchen Tart Cranberries for NZ$7.89 for 450g. If you want to go all out, you can get incredible berries from Cranberries Westland. They’re frozen this time of year and sell for NZ$35/kg + shipping. If you have fond memories of the canned cranberry sauce, US2U in Johnsonville has 14 oz Ocean Spray cans for NZ$9.99. They’re also selling them on TradeMe if you’re not local. There’s also the option to get a NZ$4.29 jar of Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry Sauce from New World if you want a nod towards cranberry sauce but aren’t a fan of the traditional dish. (I know this is a contentious subject.)

Dressing (or stuffing, depending on where you are from) is best made from scratch. - here’s my recipe. There are plenty of options at the regular grocery stores for Kiwi versions of dressing, but I haven’t found one that tastes quite right. However, Martha’s Backyard can hook you up with Stove Top at NZ$4.70 per box if you really need it.

Green beans are in season now, so there should be no problem sourcing them at your local grocery store. My New World is currently selling for around NZ$4 per 250g bag. And while fried shallots are at every grocery store, if you really want French’s Crispy Fried Onions, you can get 680g for NZ$23.99 from World Foods.

I’ve found most Kiwis to be fascinated about American Thanksgiving - and very willing to participate if asked. I feel like over the past four years more and more people have expressed interest in learning more about the holiday and tasting the food. In fact, this year my daughter’s class is learning about it in school for the first time. I’ve offered to help out, and I’m crossing my fingers that doesn’t mean I have to bake a ton of pies at the last minute!