I drove out to Rehoboth last night, where my friend Jane lives, and we went to go pick up our turkey. Its funny to drive 20 minutes out of Providence and be in this little, sweet farming community. Well, it used to be mostly farms, but it sounds like its quickly becoming just a suburb, with lots of sprawling developments. Anyhow it looked like the country, and it was so close. Sunny Meadow Farms is technically the fenced in field behind Linda and Richard King's house. They used to have sheep as well, but afore mentioned housing developments have encroached on that, so now they just raise turkeys:
Our turkeys are raised on the finest grains, and receive no medication or Hormones or any other additives... We have raised turkeys at this location since 1980 as a 4 H project for our youngest daughter Jaimie. The love for fine food free to additives has kept us raising them ever since.
After welcoming us into their house and giving us lots of cooking advice (much needed!) they hefted over my 25 pound turkey, who was "walking around earlier" that morning.
I love this. After being a vegetarian for ten years, I try to remember to not take eating meat lightly. I think this is one of the best ways to do it: Supporting your community farmer, who takes good care of the animal. Obviously, I haven't even tried yet, but the King's were so friendly and helpful, I'm sure I'll be going back to them for all my other turkey needs.
The mister and I got up early (ish) to salt it. Oh man, those spices smelled amazing...