Where is the best place to buy fresh whole turkey?

[eagleyemonkey]

Where is the best place to buy fresh whole turkey?
Any suggestions?

[Deniz1]

The Pork Shop Alsancak or Catalkoy.

[Barbieb]

Second the Pork Shop Alsancak, you will need to order and leave a deposit, but it is the best, enjoy!

[andrew4232]

also the chicken shop opposite lemar took orders for them last year and lemar had them but not to order, you have to remember that the locals have then for new year so dont expect to see them in the shops early

[timefore]

definately the Pork shop - had one from them last xmas - very very tasty

[Halffull]

Supreme were doing them last year, remember seeing someone collecting the one they had ordered.

[Deniz1]

I have had turkey from Supreme previous years and it was good but last time I paid for fresh and got frozen and by then it was too late to do anything about it.

[mimi78]

I have a whole fresh Turkey running around in my back garden , but do not have the heart to consume her for Xmas .
She will live to see another year. By the way , she has been broody , and happy to sit on chicken eggs !.

[Groucho]

Mimi,
She'll be far too tough by then... only year old turkeys are really fit for roasting.

I posted this message in another place...

Here's a little secret.... Father-in-law (God rest him) was a butcher (had several shops in Glasgow) and he sold fresh turkeys to his customers because that was what they wanted...
He would not use them himself... and this was his reasoning..
The producers have to try and get the fresh turkeys to their peak at Christmas but they can't take the risk that they won't be ready and hence, they always make sure they are actually at their peak some time before..
This means they are invariably past their best and have extra strong tendons when they reach the consumer.. often ending up tough as boots!
He always had defrosted frozen turkey for his Christmas... the reason. They are killed and frozen when they are at their peak and not allowed to go beyond the tender stage. Since we took his advice we have never had a bad turkey and as frozen was only 52p per lb in the UK... is was one tenth of the price being charged for "fresh"..... a bargain to boot.
If you are cooking your turkey for its full time it's perfectly OK to stuff the neck end even if it is a defrosted one, as long as it was properly defrosted first...
How to tell? It's cool but not freezing to the touch inside and you definitely can't feel any ice crystals on the inside of the main body.
Health wallahs will tell you not to stuff an ex-frozen one, this is based on people poisoning themselves by not defrosting properly. But you are all sensible folk who would not dream of failing to defrost properly...
If the weather gets suddenly warmer...it will take less time, in which case you put it in the fridge (not freezer) to keep cool and defrost slowly... When out of the fridge you need to find somewhere flies can't get at it too.
Also before stuffing, open the neck cavity and remove the breast bone (wishbone) with a sharp knife running the knife around the outline of the bone until you can get your fingers in and twist it out a bit fiddlely but worth it, as it will make carving when cooked a lot simpler.
Cook at 180 degrees C for 20 mins per lb + 20 mins for a small one 6 -10 lbs, if you have a big turkey, 10 lb - 18 lb, then the time is reduced to 15 mins per lb + 15 mins, this is because the temperature accumulates for the longer period and less per lb is therefore required.
Cook breast-side down (which is actually the right way up if you think about it) to make sure the breast gets as must basting as possible.. then for the last hour remove foil , turn over being careful as it's going to be very hot and likely to fall apart if mishandled (dropped),
then apply the streaky bacon, some more seasoning and some butter and hey presto... perfect turkey...

[mimi78]

That was an interesting read Groucho . I think my dear Turkey will see her days out keeping her freedom !.
it was the same with my chickens , I named each one of them....who could possibly consider eating Henny penny ?. !!!
Obviously farming is not in my blood !.

[Soner]

Thanks for all that info Groucho, was going to buy Fresh Turkey as usual, but will go for a frozen this year for sure..... besides, there is a recession on at the moment. Great advice. :

[cjtill]

Supreme are selling them at 16.95t.l per kilo this year. That seems to be really expensive, I thought I paid just under 10tl per kilo last year. Does anyone know the price from the Pork shop?

[Kizzy]

Erdener have frozen ones at 16.99TL per kilo ~ the smallest they have is 7kgs ! Anyone know the price of fresh per kilo at The Pork Shop?

[Deniz1]

I will ask tomorrow.

[Deniz1]

Pork shop fresh turkeys 5 to 8 kilos in weight 18.50 tl per kilo.

[Deniz1]

Pork shop says please order early if you want a turkey.

[Muad_dib]

I know it's not a turkey but for those who dont want a large bird we have just got a 3kilo capon from Bells at 10.50 a kilo

[pebbles]

carfour are doing 5/6kgs turkeys for about 20 euros frozen

[eagleyemonkey]

Just ordered one today from the chicken shop near the Lemar.
Got one from there last year and it was very nice.
They are 16.50tl per kilo.