1908 Instructions for the preparation of a Turkey, Duck or Goose
Poultry should be cleaned and dressed as soon as possible after being killed. Pinfeathers are best removed with a small knife or by the aid of a tong-shaped strawberry huller.
To draw the tendons from the drumstick, make an incision lengthwise between the bones of the leg, below the joint, while the foot is still attached to the body. Next, take a strong, thin skewer and pick up the tendons, one at a time, through the incision; hold the skewer, with the tendon on it, with the first two fingers and give a vigorous pull. The tendon should come out easily, and the process can be repeated till all are removed. There are seven small and two large tendons. If these are removed the drumstick is likely to be as tender as any portion of the bird.
The feet may now be cut off a little below the joint, and long hairs on the body removed by singeing. Do this by holding it over a burner of the gas range or by applying a lighted taper or twist of lighted paper. The former method is the better one, as there is no danger of smoking the skin.
To remove the down from a duck or goose, rub over with two teaspoons of alcohol, lay the bird in a dish or pan and set fire to the alcohol. The down will be burned off more quickly and thoroughly than by any other method.
The bird is now ready for drawing and, especially if it is to be roasted, this had better be done at home as the butcher usually makes far too large an opening in the flesh.
Make an incision in the skin below the breast bone and with the hand remove the gizzard, heart, intestines and liver, being very careful not to break the gall bag which is attached to the latter, as it would cause the parts with which it comes in contact to taste bitter. Remove the lungs, which lie on either side of the backbone, also the kidneys, windpipe and crop. The latter is reached by inserting the fingers under the skin of the neck after the head is cut off.
The oil bag found at the base of the tail must also be removed. Wipe the bird well both inside and out. If there seems to be any indication that it has been kept too long, wash with water in which a little soda has been dissolved and put a small piece of charcoal in the body to absorb any possible odor.
Published U.S. Legacies November 2022
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