Ode to leftovers

the glorious turkey sandwich

The turkey was brined. Plunged into the salty slurry of herbs and citrus with a touch of sugar. It was a long journey to get to this place but that story is for another day……

After a nice twelve hour bath the bird was dried off and rubbed down with some soft herb butter, kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper. After roasting to a perfect golden brown the bird was presented, in all it’s thanksgiving glory, at the center of the table, its drippings crafted into a silky brown gravy that would ceremoniously drench the remaining accompaniments. After the knife had gently pried the breast from the bone and sliced it just right, leaving the crisp skin in place and coaxing the dark meat from its frame, it lay still. Beside the ravaged carcass it would remain until hours later, washed and returned to the antique box from which it came. The carcass plunged once again into a vegetable and herb laden liquid to coax out the last bits of flavor from its bones.  The leftover meat placed in our finest tupperware to await its fate as the glorious day after thanksgiving sandwich. Piled between two toasted slices of sourdough. Topped with mashed potatoes, stuffing and a schmear of cranberry mayo it would sit. Patiently waiting to fulfill the last turkey craving of the holiday. But it was not to be. The family had long since moved on. Teenagers glued to their phones, searching for another “like”. Adults having already turned their attention to Monday morning and the constant hustle of work and chores. Longing for the glory of the thanksgiving day table, this solitary turkey sandwich sat on the counter, edges beginning to curl as the moisture slowly faded. Overlooked and unappreciated this last morsel of gratitude was swept, in one inconsiderate motion, into the trash. And so we’ve moved on. The smell of turkey and pumpkin pie replaced with the fresh scent of pine and popcorn. Though this last shred of thanksgiving found its final resting place at the bottom of a dumpster, the memories it created linger on. At times in our lives we all feel like this crusty dried out sandwich but if we sit still enough and listen we can go back to that place. A place filled with loving gratitude for all we where able to bring to the table and know deep down we helped. We helped to heal and bring people together, if only for one fleeting moment. Rest in peace beautiful turkey sandwich… until we meet again.