The Atlas Obscura Podcast Thanksgiving Special: Church of Turkey
Nov 27, 2025
Join Sam O'Brien, an editor at Gastro Obscura and food history enthusiast, as he shares quirky insights into the turkey's cultural significance. From the turkey tributes at St. Andrew's Boynton Church to the ceremonial use of turkeys in ancient Guatemala, Sam’s stories are a feast for the ears. He recounts the chaotic turkey trot of 1912 and delves into the history of presidential pardons. Plus, hear about the delightful Oaxaca rituals featuring live turkeys. This conversation reveals why these magnificent birds deserve our attention!
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Turkey Lectern At An English Church
- Sam describes a church lectern carved as a robust turkey at St. Andrew's Boynton Church in East Yorkshire.
- The lectern and other turkey motifs mark the burial site of the man who claimed to bring turkeys to England.
Cook Turkey Better, Don't Blame The Bird
- Brine or smoke your turkey to avoid bland, dry meat and improve flavor.
- Sam insists that poor turkey is a result of bad cooking technique, not the bird itself.
Allawi: The Baghdad Thanksgiving Turkey
- Kelly tells the story of buying a live turkey in Baghdad, naming it Allawi, and trying to fatten it for Thanksgiving.
- The turkey was thin, brined for days, became edible but produced little meat.