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Staying Local with Diestel Family Turkey Ranch

 

When scurrying to put together holiday menus, it is easy to snag ingredients out of necessity and convenience without regard to the ingredient’s history. While in many cases, an ingredient is an ingredient and it doesn’t much matter which brand you choose, selecting the centerpiece of your family meal – your turkey – is an area that should be given a great deal of focus and consideration.

Living in the Sierra Nevada foothills gives me access to all sorts of fresh farmers market produce and the best turkey on the planet – Diestel Turkey. I will preface this discussion by saying I am in no way being paid for these words and everything I write is my own opinion based on my experience.

Diestel Family Turkey Ranch is home to the happy turkey. As you walk through their year-round irrigated green pastures, jovial (and very inquisitive) turkeys greet and follow you…and give you a peck or two on the booty.

Happy turkeys make for tender, healthy meat. The stigma of dry, flavorless turkey is dismantled by Diestel Family Turkey Ranch, as their birds have very palatable flavor and texture. Although delicious, fancy brines, marinades and cooking techniques are not necessary to doll up a Diestel bird. The Diestels themselves use a simple rub with olive oil paprika and salt for their own holiday turkey and roast it in the oven. No frills, no bells and whistles, not even stuffing. Why? Because Diestel turkeys speak for themselves.

Organic, all-natural and pasture-raised are your Diestel turkey options. This terminology goes beyond a simple stamp on a piece of paper. It is authentic and it is terminology you can observe, taste and feel. The birds are treated humanely and are fed a high-nutrient diet. Not to mention they go on walks every day. Every day? Every day the birds take a walk…that’s a better standard of living than some humans!

Nowadays it is very rare to find turkey that even closely resembles what our ancestors enjoyed during the original Thanksgiving, but the Diestels raise a Heritage breed which is as close as you can get without harvesting a wild turkey.  The Diestels understand and exhibit tradition. For them, family and giving thanks is a lifestyle choice that is embraced every day of the year, not just one day.  They raise their birds honestly and with pride.

Regardless of your holiday menu, enjoy the time with your loved ones. If you have any questions on preparing turkey or would like more information about Diestel Family Turkey Ranch, please feel free to comment below or send me an email at roastedrootfood (at) gmail (dot) com!

 

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Annie @ Naturally Sweet Recipes

Tuesday 20th of November 2012

What a great post! This is going to be my first year picking out and roasting a turkey all by myself, so this was really helpful! Thanks for sharing your opinion about what's the best. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Jen @ The Scrumptious Pumpkin

Tuesday 20th of November 2012

Love this post - so informative! Clearly from your photos, this is how turkeys should be raised.

Julia

Tuesday 20th of November 2012

Thanks, Jen and I couldn't agree more! It definitely makes you realize how the quality of life truly effects all facets of animal health. Hope you have a great Thanksgiving!

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