If youve ever watched a Christmas movie set in the past, you may have noticed that some of the olden traditions differ from the celebrations today. For example, in “A Christmas Carol,” the Cratchits have a roasted goose as their centerpiece before Scrooge sends them a prized turkey as their main course. It would be historically correct for the Cratchits to be roasting a goose for Christmas as other meat options were either quite expensive or had another important purpose; chickens could lay eggs that could be sold or eaten and dairy cows could produce milk used for the same purpose. Families that werent extremely well-off didnt have the means to off one of their essential providers. A goose was the Christmas meat of choice for the everyday people.
Geese became an easy option because they were found on farms and did not possess the same consistent egg-laying ability as hens as they only lay eggs in the warmer months. It made sense economically to use a goose as the main dish and to sell geese to others as a food option as well. Geese were larger than chickens as well; the fatter bird was ideal to feed many people, whether it be a family or a holiday party. The bird would be its fattest in December. Geese have cemented their place in Christmas lore, from a shout-out in the “Twelve Days of Christmas” to mentions of a cooked goose in traditional Christmas poems and stories.
One of the reasons that the goose became the ubiquitous holiday bird across Europe is that the natural rhythm of a goose’s lifespan fell in step with the autumnal and winter holidays.
Geese became an easy option because they were found on farms and did not possess the same consistent egg-laying ability as hens as they only lay eggs in the warmer months. It made sense economically to use a goose as the main dish and to sell geese to others as a food option as well. Geese were larger than chickens as well; the fatter bird was ideal to feed many people, whether it be a family or a holiday party. The bird would be its fattest in December. Geese have cemented their place in Christmas lore, from a shout-out in the “Twelve Days of Christmas” to mentions of a cooked goose in traditional Christmas poems and stories.
Turkeys began to appear on some European tables during the 16th century. King Henry VIII of England was the first monarch to indulge in a turkey for Christmas dinner and kicked off the trend in his country. The turkey was seen as a luxury bird because it had to be imported and wasnt as readily available. And just as the goose received a humble mention in Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol,” the same novel helped to cement the turkeys place in the Christmas tradition due to the novels popularity and longevity over time. While some people still enjoy a roasted goose today, the more common option is now the turkey. But thanks to the gooses longtime popularity, the Christmas goose association will still be around for a long time to come.
If youve ever watched a Christmas movie set in the past, you may have noticed that some of the olden traditions differ from the celebrations today. For example, in “A Christmas Carol,” the Cratchits have a roasted goose as their centerpiece before Scrooge sends them a prized turkey as their main course. It would be historically correct for the Cratchits to be roasting a goose for Christmas as other meat options were either quite expensive or had another important purpose; chickens could lay eggs that could be sold or eaten and dairy cows could produce milk used for the same purpose. Families that werent extremely well-off didnt have the means to off one of their essential providers. A goose was the Christmas meat of choice for the everyday people.
Today its hard to imagine a holiday bird other than turkey, but it took some time for this to catch on, especially in Europe. Turkeys are native to America, the first turkeys were introduced across the pond in Europe in 1550. American settlers began using turkeys in place of geese for the same reason the goose was originally used; it happened to be on their land and was more convenient than other options.
-According to Dumas, a French chemist “saw a goose turning a spit on which a turkey was roasting. She was holding the end of the spit in her beak; and by sticking out and pulling back her neck, produced the same effect as the use of an arm. All she needed was to be given a drink from time to time.”
Here are some other fun facts about the majestic goose to chat about while you dine on its deliciously dark, rich meat:
-Sixteenth century scholar, Jules Cesar Scaliger, is quoted as saying that “geese lower their heads in order to pass under a bridge, no matter how high its arches are.”
Have you ever dined on the glory of goose? Whats your preparation of choice? And have you ever seen a goose walk under an archway? We want to know if the stories are true!
Though its a prized turkey that Scrooge sends an urchin to buy at the end of A Christmas Carol, goose was the original centerpiece on the Cratchits menu. As shown to Scrooge by the Ghost of Christmas Present: “There never was such a goose…Its tenderness and flavor, size and cheapness were the themes of universal admiration.” The modern day American family will sit down to a meal of turkey or ham or beef this Christmas, but goose remains the traditional Christmas meat of choice for many and was long before Dickens wrote of its succulence.
Goose Over An Open Fire – A Very Dickens Christmas Dinner – 18th Century Cooking
FAQ
Which country eats goose for Christmas?
Why did Christmas dinner change from goose to turkey?
Why do Germans eat goose for Christmas?
Do people still have goose for Christmas?
Is Goose a traditional Christmas meat?
The modern day American family will sit down to a meal of turkey or ham or beef this Christmas, but goose remains the traditional Christmas meat of choice for many and was long before Dickens wrote of its succulence.
Is a Christmas goose just a goose?
Long ago in the old country, roast goose was the centerpiece for Michaelmas, a popular feast day in the Middle Ages, and before that, tradition says, it was offered as a sacrifice to the gods Odin and Thor. So a Christmas goose is just a goose by any other name, right? Not exactly.
Where did the Christmas goose come from?
Scrooge thought it essential to add to poor Bob Cratchet’s table in A Christmas Carol, and a goose who lays golden eggs was a prize in the Jack In the Beanstalk story. But good luck finding one at your average American supermarket today. The Christmas goose actually traces its roots back to the medieval European feast of Martinmas . St.
What is the best Christmas Goose?
From then on, the birds range free in natural pastures with access to plenty of fresh spring water, natural light, and country air, feeding on a diet of corn and soy meal fortified with vitamins and minerals. The birds yield superbly textured and distinctively flavored meat, so it’s no wonder our geese are widely held as the best Christmas goose.