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DEL.ICIO.USTurkey lurks. Should you eat it?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As I was driving to work this morning, one of the radio chatters rambled on about the holiday shopping season being in full gear, now that the Thanksgiving leftovers were all eaten.
There’s a container of turkey noodle soup waiting for my lunch today and tomorrow. After days of turkey sandwiches and Thanksgiving rehashes, we finally finished the last of the sliced turkey on Sunday. My sister’s still toting enough poundcake to last another week. Maybe we should have eaten more. But it raises the question of when you do need to throw food out. Is it a needless waste to pitch any leftover turkey today? Or the prudent thing to do?
Federal food safety advice says to toss poultry leftovers after three to four days. If the turkey sat out for more than two hours at room temperature, you’re supposed to not even bother with keeping it for leftovers.
So — that makes today the last safe day to eat turkey that was properly handled, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines. Same for the gravy. Bacon, on the other hand, can keep for a week after cooking in the refrigerator, which should make a lot of side dishes OK.
Do you still have Thanksgiving leftovers around the house? What’s your favorite way to get rid of them? I tried a turkey hash from Jean Anderson’s new cookbook, “A Love Affair With Southern Cooking,” that was delicious. Simple, but satisfying, and good enough to have the kids asking for seconds.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Food
Comments
By One
November 26, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this
Chicken salad from the leftover (baked) chicken, and freeze whatever possible for a later day.
By JJ
November 26, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this
I boil the carcus and get turkey stock for a batch of Turkey chili at christmas time. I prepare a bunch of meals this time of year, and freeze leftovers for the Christmas holiday, when I take two weeks off work.
We also slice up the Turkey and freeze it too. We don’t have turkey at Christmas, we do a Standing Rib Roast……..
By CTU Director
November 26, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this
Used the last of the turkey for Turkey a la King. Yummy!!
Used the left over turkey, bones, skin and carcass to make up turkey broth for soup, foze that right up.
Saved the ham bone for beans tonight with corn bread and hot sauce. Hells Yeah!!
Only thing left is stuffing, sweet potatoe casserole, green beans, and rolls.
Oh, I did not drink ALL the beer, but I tried.