my only thanksgiving experience!!

 When I was 18 years old (I'm 39 now) I lived in NYC for a few months as an Au Pair (nanny). 
I am (still) Dutch. Of course I had heard of thanksgiving on TV and in movies but it was all very unfamiliar to me. Also had no idea of the importance of this day in the States. Anyway, me and a friend took of to Manhattan to enjoy the Macy's parade and as we never had turkey in our lives that was what we were gonna try in a restaurant. The parade was fantastic. Everything was bigger than big. I can especially remember the super large blow up figures that were floating thru the streets surrounded by sky scrapers!! We were standing right in front of the broadway theatre!! It was all very impressive for a Dutch girl who had never been in the USA before.
The bad experience that day was definitely the turkey. I'm afraid we did not pick a very good restaurant but I had never had anything that chewy and dry before in my life. And then it came with some sort of gooey mess (stuffing) that I could not identify. On top of all things there was fruit on it. Who does that?!? I think I only tried a few bites and left it at that. It must have been my lowest calorie meal ever!!LOL. I will never forget this great day!!
For the last 10 years I have been living in Canada and have been exposed to many turkey dinners!! 
Mother-in-law, sister-in-law, at several different friends, weddings and I have even tried it myself. 
I think the one at one of my friends which was cajun injected and deep fried was the best one. Second came my own which I had injected with spices and brined for 24 hours. The rest sucked!! Big time!!
What is it that you guys like so much about turkey?!?!?LOL!!
Happy thanksgiving from Canada !!!! 

If it is cooked right, it really is very good.  But many folks over cook it and it does get dried out.  As far as dressing, stuffing or whatever you call it, I put pecans, water chestnuts, apples, dried cherries and sausage in mine.  There is only enough bread stuff to hold the other parts together to put gravy on.

I HATE turkey!  LOL......OK maybe I dont hate it but I don't care for it.  Unless it is seasoned and juicy I have no time for it!  I wait for the left over concoctions.....like turkey dumpling soup......LOL  Now that's good!  I'm going to make my first turkey for x-mas eve.  I found a recipe for a citrus turkey where you actually stuff the turkey with various citrus fruits......sounds pretty yummy!  We'll see though....LOL
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Yes,turkey,like most things,has to be cooked"right" meaning the way you like it. It can get dry cause people are so afraid it will be raw in the middle thay cook it till next week and it is awful. In addition once off the carcas it dries out quickly. the dark meat is more moist.

In the south we make corn bread dressin,and don't stuff the bird. It is kinda like salad dressing on the side? well,we have cornbread dressing on the side.

glad you have since had more memorable turkey dinners,
H

I agree. My family is so tired of turkey after Thanksgiving, every year we have a Seafood Feast for Christmas. We live on the coast so my dad gets coolers full of oysters from the beds in front of their house and we have a oyster roast. Also shrimp, shark, scallops....it is sooooo good!!!