Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and it always brings back memory of Aunt Roz and her prized and delectable bird. The day before she would start the stuffing and begin to work her magic in her little pink kitchen on Tiemann Ave, Bronx NY.
During my high school years I'd go with some friends to the annual rivalry game between Mount and Hayes. My best friends were Hayes men, but as a Mounty it was always a friendly rivalry and great fun, except for the yer we were upset on our way to the division championship.
After the game I'd be dropped off at Mike and Roz's and no sooner did I open the finished basement door than I could smell the aromas of the 25 pounder sitting on the stove to cool down. In the 50's and 60's turkey skin crisp and crunchy was in the cigarette category, no one spoke about how bad it was for you. So once the bird was carved, the dinner eaten and the kids dismissed from the folding kids table in the dining/living room, today we call it "open concept", we'd would go downstairs to hang out. I never missed a chance to grab a piece of skin off the carcass as I came and went. And I came and went a lot, inventing reasons why i needed to pass through the pink kitchen.
The second highlight of the day were the turkey sandwiches served on bread from Arthur Avenue with stuffing and cranberry sauce. Amazing and the quintessential comfort food.
50 years later I can still see that bird on the stove, Roz getting congratulations for a job and a turkey very well done and the tiny pink kitchen that could.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
4 more hits to 2000, today is the day.
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