Sheldon, Iowa — Thanksgiving is next week, and many families in the area are already making preparations to join their loved ones together to celebrate the holiday. And, of course, when you think Thanksgiving, you think turkey. But, that turkey can cause some problems if it’s not prepared properly.
Juanita Thaden is a Dietician with Sanford Sheldon, and she talks about the dangers of improperly handled turkey.
Thaden reminds you to NOT thaw your frozen turkey on the countertop.
She suggests that you place the turkey on the lowest level of your refrigerator for thawing.
Thaden says when it comes to roasting your Thanksgiving turkey, you can’t really depend upon that little pop-up button to tell you when the bird is done. She says it’s important to use a meat thermometer, and check the biggest part of the breast, as well as the area between the leg and the body of the bird. She says it should be cooked to a temperature of AT LEAST 165-degrees.
She also recommends that the stuffing and the bird be cooked separately, since a stuffed bird cooks more quickly than the stuffing inside.
These are just a few things to keep in mind to help prevent problems during your Thanksgiving feast. Prepare your food carefully, and have a Happy Thanksgiving.
