The Other Gospel Bird
Courtesy of the Library of Congress
Here is another contribution to our ongoing food series Eating While Poor. At Herkimer County Community College in the Mohawk Valley I rented an apartment and cooked my own meals. I was 18 years old, cooking on my own for the first time, and on a limited budget. I’d cut out food coupons and come up with creative ideas for inexpensive meals. Discovering the versatility of turkey parts at the grocery store around the way had been a heavenly gift, especially the wings. I purchased them cheaply, baked them, and used the pan drippings to make gravy. The leftovers I used to make sandwiches, turkey and rice, and soups. My mother called chicken the gospel bird because so many African-Americans made fried chicken for their after service Sunday meal. I think we should call turkey the other gospel bird because of its ability stretch your budget and fill your stomach.
