Will small frozen turkeys be in short supply this year?

We live six miles from the nearest town and our village butcher closed down twenty years ago so supermarkets are the only option for us unfortunately.

There is a butcher in town but a long walk from the car park so I'm not going to put myself through any added torture.

It’s interesting how many posters mention supermarkets for their ordering.

I have always used a butcher and greengrocer, during lockdown I just phoned my orders in then collected.
I had hoped that lockdown may have increased the popularity of local shops.

It seems an M&S food order is now
part of a traditional Christmas.

Poppsbaggie, That's a little dramatic!

Indeed, the OP was concerned about the availability of meat. Meat isn’t something neatly packaged for the supermarket. It is sentient beings which should not be treated as a cheap alternative to other sources of protein and iron. There are other ways to get these. If you are happy to slaughter animals for your own pleasure, so be it.

Poppsbaggie did I misread OP, thought the subject was availability of small turkeys at Christmas, not dietary choices?

Why eat slaughtered, inhumanly reared animals? Many postings about weight gain during coronavirus. Any connections? Eat more plant based food. Lose weight, save animals from a vile life and ending. Feel virtuous. It’s a win win situation.

Sgilley

Where have the cauliflowers gone?

In Aldi and our local farm shop they are plentiful.

Where have the cauliflowers gone?

We are after a decent-sized frozen turkey from Sainsbury's. They didn't have any in a couple of weeks ago and still weren't showing as available to order online on Monday. Will just have to keep checking online as only go shopping once a week now and it is not always at Sainsbury's.

pamcuthbert, vegan here too. I don't celebrate by eating baby animals, surprisingly!

You've all got me thinking. Have never planned Christmas this early before, usually waiting until the last minute. But I think I'd better start shopping.

Ever since the price of a small turkey crown, for 2 people, went into double figures we have switched to having a small chicken at Christmas instead. Its far cheaper, just as nice, and its not out of stock by the end of October- win win all round

Large turkeys might be in short supply.

Thank you Georgesgran, you reminded me that my wonderful Mil brought half a large turkey to cook at mine the first Christmas I had baby No1, who was then just 6 days old. It had a much better flavour than a small one. So it’s got me thinking for this year!

Farmers need supporting and it seems a huge waste of food otherwise if people only want little ones this year. So we’ll be trying to find a butcher who can cut a larger turkey in half - don’t think DH would be up to that!!

I’ve ordered my Christmas meat hamper from our local butcher today for collection on Dec 23rd. Will purchase veg from our local farm shop.

Hi Bluebell would - I’m with you on the losing weight front. I’ve been doing Bright Light Eating since June and will have the turkey plus lots of vegs roasted in balsamic plus other veg but leave the roast potatoes stuffing pudding cream cake mince pies for my husband and youngest adult son if we’re still able to have him. It will be the first time I’ve tried it but I love what I’m doing so much I don’t want to go back on it. Anyway I hope everyone manages to have something they enjoy, whatever that is!

I am going to buy a fresh corn fed chicken, just for the two of us. Most things for Christmas have already been bought, just the meat and a bit of fish to get.

I was surprised to see that M&S and probably other supermarkets are selling frozen partridge. All game birds should be hung for a few days before cooking otherwise they will not be very pleasant to eat.I wonder if M&S have done this.

I stopped eating meat many years ago so I am not bothered about shortage of turkeys. Anyone who eats meat of any kind should be aware of the way animals are reared, and the way they are killed and then see if they still enjoy it. Much of the meat in supermarkets is Halal slaughtered but they refuse to identify it.

Georgesgran, that’s not a bad idea. I would buy half a large turkey rather than scramble for a small one.

Usually spending Christmas alone I have in the past had a pheasant. My cat used to sit by the fridge whilst it was there and by the oven whist it was cooking. Don’t know what I shall have this year. Last year it was a turkey breast stuffed, rolled up in streaky bacon.

I'll make do with a fresh chicken and all that goes with it, plus a leg of lamb both of which I can order from the local butcher as I imagine he'll be cleaned out of fresh produce by those who live well outside the area such as when there were queues at supermarkets when shelves were emptying.

I did read about a shortage of turkeys due to the staff shortage so there'll be another mad rush like there was over toilet rolls.

I did want to have a good spend at M&S but it seems less and less likely the way the virus gathers momentum and the place will be packed because it's not a very big food hall.
There's only the cats and I ! What does it matter ?

We ordered a meat hamper from the local butcher for collection on December 23rd. The selection includes a Turkey Crown. I personally wouldn't give Tesco frozen food "freezer-room"! Their frozen fish which is caught in the North Atlantic is packed in CHINA! Nothing to do with Covid, I just prefer my food to have a very small carbon footprint!

Morrisons are taking Christmas food orders online already. I've already ordered a turkey crown and of course trifle and other goodies to pick up on Christmas eve. You pay £20 deposit and the rest on collection. There's only going to be four of us but I've ordered a large as I like to freeze some.
I think Tesco opens there Christmas online bookings on 13th November.

crimpedhalo, fantastic name by the way, I’m on 20gms carbs and less than 800 calls a day but it’s not low taste. Do you want to message me so we can swap recipes etc.

Bluebellwould

Wow, Christmas food!!
I’m on my own and last year had baked beans on toast for Xmas dinner, really enjoyed it too.
This year I’m on a strict low fat and low carb diet so might have a turkey mince Thai curry with courgetti spaghetti. Followed by zero fat yoghurt. Could sprinkle nutmeg, cinnamon and allspice in it for festive cheer I suppose. Hope you enjoy your gluttonous feasts ?

I'm on low fat low carb low sugar (low taste?) diet due to T2 diabetes & NAFLD. Your menu sounds great.