The Hungry Hoosier

November: Time to Talk Turkey

Originally published in moist and juicy newspapers on November 1, 2007

For those of us who like to cook, much of our spare time in November will be spent planning for and procuring needed supplies for Thanksgiving Dinner, the Super Bowl of cooking and eating holidays. In years past, I’ve encouraged readers to bypass the grocery store birds to try a farm-fresh turkey. This year, your hearing more of the same from me.

Here in central Indiana we have several options for local birds, from both farmers and now a couple retailers. Here are a few of those options.

Promised Land Farms (9781 W 275 N Thorntown) offers free-range birds that can be ordered and picked up a couple of days before Thanksgiving. You can arrange a pre-Thanksgiving visit to see the turkeys in action and meet Jim and Nancy Whelan. It is a fun trip for the whole family. They can be reached by phone at 765-483-9268. Their website is www.promisedlandfarm.us.

Humphrey Family Farms (3981 S. Grant St, Williamsport) raises all sorts of birds - geese, ducks, chickens, and turkeys. The Humphreys take orders at the Traders Point Creamery Winter Market in Zionsville (www.tpforganics.com) and deliver the birds there for pick up. The Humphreys can be reached by phone at 765-762-3160. You might want to also keep them in mind for a Christmas goose if you want to have an old fashioned Charles Dickens sort of holiday.

Purple Rock Farm (2282 E. 250 N, Frankfort) is also selling an all-natural bird. Gina and Travis Sheets have already processed their birds. They are frozen and ready to pick up anytime. Proceeds from Purple Rock sales go to support the Sheets’ missionary work in third-world countries. Gina and Travis can be reached by phone at 765-659-5310.

Joe’s Butcher Shop (111. W. Main Street) is Carmel’s butcher extraordinaire and Joe is selling all-natural free-range turkey’s raised across the state line in Ohio. Even though it is not an Indiana farmer, I think this is a good choice. Joe has a commitment to quality and sustainable practices. This is guaranteed to be a delicious bird. Joe is taking orders until November 10, 2007. He can be reached by phone at 317-846-8877 and online at www.joesbutchershop.com.

Goose: The Market (2503 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis) is a brand new retail shop in Indy’s Fall Creek Place specializing in top-rate foods from both near and far. They have a terrific year-round selection of meats, cheeses, and all sorts of delicious foods. For Thanksgiving, they too have gone to Ohio to procure all-natural, pasture-raised turkeys. You can count on Chef/Owner Christopher Eley to provide you with a quality product. Goose is taking orders through November 5th. They can be reached by phone at 317-924-4944 and online at www.goosethemarket.com.

The last several years I’ve gotten my bird from an area farmer. I can honestly say these have been the best turkeys I’ve ever had. This year I decided to order from Joe’s Butcher Shop in Carmel. I wanted a whole bird and an extra bone-in breast for plenty of white-meat turkey sandwiches! Joe was able to handle that request. Next week, I’ll provide some tips for how I’ll be preparing my bird this year.

Purple Rock Farms

Lots of businesses have missions, but Purple Rock Farms takes mission to a whole new level. Travis and Gina Sheets sell pastured poultry, highland beef, and farm-fresh eggs to support their work with World Mission Builders, an organization that builds churches in third-world countries and recruits ministerial students to serve in the churches.

Their customers not only get great tasting farm products but also get the satisfaction of supporting World Mission Builders. The Sheets welcome visitors. Call to make those arrangements. They’ve also been known to ask folks to stick around for lunch or dinner! Their products are also available at Flavors Coffee House & Deli located on the square (63 E. Clinton St.) in Frankfort.

Purple Rock Farms is located at 2282 East C.R. 250 N in Frankfort. Travis and Gina can be reached by phone at 765-659-5310.

Pork, The Other Burger Meat

One of the things I look forward to most during county fair season is the porkburgers and ribeye sandwiches. In my neck of the woods both of the meats for these two sandwiches come from Shoup's Country Foods in Frankfort, Indiana. I stopped by their store the other day and picked up a pack of 90% lean, 1/3 pound burgers. I've thrown a couple on the grill twice over the least few days. They can go straight from the freezer to the grill and be ready in just a few minutes.

Shoup's also offers a great blend of seasoning that has been a family recipe for over 30 years. It works especially well with the porkburgers. These are a great alternative to the more traditional beef burger. You can pick them up at the Frankfort store or order online at their website (available here).