Breaking a turkey wishbone is one of the most ancient (and strangest) Thanksgiving traditions; it originated in ancient Italy and predates the very first Thanksgiving dinner! So how did the custom of breaking a wishbone make its way to the American dinner table? Although there is some disagreement over whether roast turkey was served at the first feast in 1662, one thing is certain: if you break the wishbone and succeed, your wishes will come true (or so the saying goes). So what is the winning strategy and where did this peculiar custom originate?
We did extensive research to bring you a brief history lesson on one of America’s most popular post-dinner Thanksgiving traditions: breaking the turkey wishbone. Additionally, we provide instructions on where to locate the wishbone, how to remove it, and tactics to outwit your adversary.
The Thanksgiving turkey wishbone, a seemingly insignificant bone holds a surprisingly rich history and a cherished tradition. This article delves into the origins location, breaking ritual, and even strategies for winning this playful Thanksgiving custom.
Where is the Wishbone Located?
The turkey wishbone, also known as the furcula, resides near the bird’s breast It is formed by the fusion of the two collarbones and plays a crucial role in the bird’s flight by providing spring-like support for its wings.
How to Find and Remove the Wishbone:
Finding the wishbone is best done before cooking the turkey. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Place the raw turkey on a clean surface, breast side up.
- Cut away some skin at the top of the breast, between the two halves.
- Feel down into the meat until you locate the wishbone.
- Use a knife to gently cut around the bone on each side and at the top.
- Pull the wishbone out carefully, avoiding breakage.
Why Do We Break the Wishbone?
The origins of breaking the wishbone trace back to the Etruscans, an ancient Italian civilization, around 2,400 years ago. They considered hens as oracles and would dry their collarbones after sacrificing them. Later, the Romans adopted the custom, evolving it into breaking the wishbone for wish fulfillment.
The tradition eventually reached England and then the New World with the Pilgrims, who continued the practice with wild turkeys and other fowl. Despite not being part of the first Thanksgiving feast, the wishbone became associated with the holiday due to its connection to the Pilgrims.
How to Break the Wishbone and Win:
Breaking the wishbone is a fun Thanksgiving tradition, and here are some tips to increase your chances of winning:
- Choose the thicker side of the wishbone for a better chance of success.
- Grasp the bone higher up for better leverage.
- Let your opponent do most of the pulling, putting the odds in your favor.
The Thanksgiving turkey wishbone, though a small bone, carries a rich history and a playful tradition. Understanding its origins, location, and breaking ritual adds another layer of enjoyment to this Thanksgiving custom. So, this Thanksgiving, gather around the table, break the wishbone, and make a wish!
What is the tradition with breaking a turkey wishbone?
The custom of breaking a turkey wishbone dates back thousands of years. It is thought to have originated with the ancient Etruscans of Italy, who thought chickens possessed magical abilities. The term “wishbone” comes from their practice of letting chicken furcula, a V-shaped bone near the neck, dry out in the sun while they alternately stroked it and made wishes. The custom of breaking the bone instead of stroking it was later adopted, and it has persisted ever since!
When the Romans met the Etruscans around 200 years later, they were given this custom in what can only be described as an anthropological game of telephone. The custom was later carried to England by the Romans, and eventually it traveled across the Atlantic on the Mayflower with the pilgrims, where it evolved into the modern Thanksgiving game!
What are the rules for breaking a wishbone?
Let’s start by talking about the purpose of the furcula, or wishbone. It resembles the collarbones of a bird that are joined to its wings on either side. Its slightly greater elasticity compared to the other bones in the body facilitates the bird’s proper flight. Heres how to carve a turkey and find the wishbone:
With the neck cavity facing you and the legs facing away, place the raw turkey breast side up on the ground.
To find the wishbone, feel inside the neck cavity with your index finger. It should feel like a V-shape bone.
Cut the muscle around the V-shaped edges with a paring knife. Make sure not to tear any muscle when you insert your finger tip to slightly widen the slit.
Wiggle a little to release the bone after it has separated from the muscle on both sides. Next, remove the bone by carefully pulling from the center of the V shape.
Remove the Wishbone from a Turkey
FAQ
Do all turkeys have wishbones?
What day do you break the wishbone?
Where is a wishbone found in a Turkey?
It’s formed from the fusion of two collarbones and is found at the base of a turkey’s sternum, or between its neck and chest. The bone supports a bird’s chest when it’s in flight.People don’t have wishbones, simply, because people don’t fly.
What does a turkey wishbone look like?
It doesn’t exactly look like any human bone we learned about in biology class—so what the heck is it and what part of the turkey does it come from?! A wishbone is simply the forked chest bone of a bird. It’s formed from the fusion of two collarbones and is found at the base of a turkey’s sternum, or between its neck and chest.
Why does a Turkey have a wishbone?
First, let’s discuss why the furcula, or the wishbone, even exists. It’s essentially a bird’s collarbones that are attached to the wings on either side. It’s slightly more elastic than other bones in the body which helps the bird fly properly. Here’s how to carve a turkey and find the wishbone:
How do you remove a wishbone from a Turkey?
Feel down into the meat until you find the wishbone. Once you’ve found it, Nolan says to gently use your knife to cut around the bone on each side and at the top. “You can then gently pull the wishbone out of the turkey, but be careful not to break it as you do so,” he notes.