The average turkey cost is due to go up to $22.23 for a 16-pound bird according to the USDA, but who said anything about being average?
San Francisco artisan butchery 4505 Meats seems to have taken that idea of "too much of a good thing" and added an enticing question mark at the end, presenting its fourth annual Grand Turducken. Using the freshest, tastiest bits from local chicken, duck and turkey, it is 20 pounds of "juicy perfection" with enough meat for up to 30 people, resting on root vegetables and offered with a side of gravy. It needs to cook for 10 hours, at which point the tantalizing aromas will presumably make you forget all about the $380 you spent on the bird(s). This is the second year 4505 is offering the Turducken Junior, which will feed a dozen guests for $195 -- $70 more than last year.
If you'd rather confuse your guests, there's the vegan option from Healthy Eating. For $93.99, this dish is "shaped like a turkey," or for just $64.95, Hebert's Specialty Meats offers a turkey stuffed with alligator dressing -- just how the Pilgrims would've wanted it.
And "Top Chef's" Rosenberg says to up the ante with squab, a young pigeon, as a main course.
"It's one of the most delicious birds you can eat," he said. "You can partially debone them and stuff them with a truffle and foie gras stuffing for a most decadent holiday treat."
"They have amazing flavor and texture, yet most people are not very familiar with them," Rosenberg says.