Demystifying the Mystery: Unveiling the Truth Behind Those White Things on Turkey Legs

It’s inevitable that your turkey will feel a little awkward after all the attention he gets on Thanksgiving. Sitting up there, featherless and exposed on the table, hes bound to want to, er, cover up. Thankfully he has turkey booties for when hes feeling a little modest. If youre wondering what the hell turkey booties are, dont worry: youre not alone. Allow us to explain.

Turkey leg tips are adorned with tiny paper caps called “booties” or “frills” to conceal the unsightly ends of the legs. Theyre shaped sort of like miniature chefs hats, and might be frilled or rounded at the top. They dont serve any other purpose than an aesthetic one, but that never stopped a trend from enduring. Turkey booties, as far as we can tell, have persisted for a very long time and don’t seem to be going away. Advertisement.

If you love turkey booties, you probably know how to make them yourself or have a go-to recipe. For the uninitiated, heres a quick tutorial on how to make your own turkey booties this Thanksgiving.

Fold a long strip of paper in half, lengthwise, leaving a small strip at the bottom.DearMartiniKitchen

Make tiny cuts all the way along the strip, taking care not to cut through the tab at the bottom, to keep the paper attached. DearMartiniKitchen.

Fold the paper back over itself in the opposite direction, and fold over the bottom tab.DearMartiniKitchenAdvertisement

Roll the whole strip around your finger to fit it to about the size of your turkey leg. DearMartiniKitchen.

After that, trim the strip to the proper length, tape it on, and gently fluff up the frills to make them look beautiful. DearMartiniKitchen.

Place the booties on your bird after its cooked. You dont want to make it even harder for your turkey to get around, after all. Poultry Bonkers.

Have you ever sat down to a Thanksgiving feast and wondered “What are those strange white things adorning the turkey’s legs?” Well, wonder no more! Those frilly papery accoutrements are known as turkey booties (or turkey frills), and they hold a surprisingly rich history and practical purpose.

A Blast from the Past: The Origins of Turkey Booties

Believe it or not, turkey booties have been around since the 17th century. Back then they served a vital function: protecting the hands of “lady-carvers” from getting greasy and messy while carving the turkey. These elegant ladies accustomed to using carving forks, wouldn’t dream of sullying their delicate fingers with the messy task of carving. Hence, the ingenious invention of the turkey bootie.

From Practicality to Aesthetics: The Evolution of Turkey Booties

As carving forks became more commonplace, the need for hand protection diminished. However, turkey booties didn’t fade away. Instead, they transformed into a purely aesthetic element, adding a touch of whimsy and elegance to the Thanksgiving table. The frilly paper caps became a symbol of tradition and festive cheer, a charming reminder of a bygone era.

DIY Delight: Crafting Your Own Turkey Booties

Feeling crafty? You can easily create your own turkey booties with just a few simple materials:

Paper: Choose a decorative paper that complements your Thanksgiving table setting.
Scissors: Cut the paper into strips, ensuring they’re long enough to wrap around the turkey leg.
Tape: Secure the paper strip into a cone shape, creating the signature frilly effect.

Beyond the Booties: Additional Fun Facts

Turkey booties go by various names, including chop frills and turkey panties.
They’re not just for turkeys! You can use them to adorn other roasted poultry like chicken or lamb.
Some people believe turkey booties help keep the meat moist during cooking.

So, the next time you encounter those white things on turkey legs, remember: they’re not just decorative. They’re a delightful piece of culinary history, a testament to our ancestors’ ingenuity and love for a festive table.

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Turkey booties are not turkey butts.

If youre a devoted turkey bootie fan, you probably already have your go-to source or know how to make your own. For the uninitiated, heres a quick tutorial on how to make your own turkey booties this Thanksgiving.

Fold a long strip of paper in half, lengthwise, leaving a small strip at the bottom.DearMartiniKitchen

Cut small slits along the strip, but be careful not to cut through the tab at the bottom, so that the paper stays connected. DearMartiniKitchen

Unfold the paper.DearMartiniKitchen

Fold the paper back over itself in the opposite direction, and fold over the bottom tab.DearMartiniKitchenAdvertisement

Roll the whole strip around your finger to fit it to about the size of your turkey leg. DearMartiniKitchen

Then cut the strip to make it the right size, connect it with tape and fluff out the frills a bit, to make them look pretty.DearMartiniKitchen

Place the booties on your bird after its cooked. You dont want to make it even harder for your turkey to get around, after all. Poultry Bonkers

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FAQ

What are those things they put on turkey legs?

Turkey booties, also known as turkey frills, are little paper caps that people stick on the end of turkey legs, to cover up the unsightly ends of the bones. They’re shaped sort of like miniature chefs’ hats, and might be frilled or rounded at the top.

What are the hard things in turkey legs?

The problem is turkey legs can be really tough. There are lots of tendons and bones in that leg for meat to cling to, and most vendors don’t cook them long enough.

Can you eat turkey leg tendons?

To eat the meat from around a turkey leg bone, you can use a knife to carefully cut away the meat from the bone, or you can use your fingers to pull the meat off the bone. Be sure to discard any tendons, gristle, or other unwanted bits as you go.