Local Shops Selling Fresh Turkeys--Or Start Defrosting Very Soon

It's time to buy the Thanksgiving turkey, and local grocers offer a choice of fresh, frozen, free-range, antibiotic-free and Kosher birds. You can even buy them already prepared.

The stores recommend calling to pre-order. Here's the scoop:

• Schmeisser's Deli, 7649 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles, sells Ho-Ka brand fresh turkeys for $3.09 a pound, which owner Kurt Schmeisser says went up just a tad from last year. They range from 13 to 30 pounds. "They're free-range and antibiotic free," said owner Kurt Schmeisser. "They're raised in Waterman, Ill. I like to buy stuff where I know where they've been raised."
• Minelli's Deli, in Oak Mill Mall, 7700 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles, is also selling Ho-Ka turkeys, at $2.99 a  pound. They're eight to 34 pounds, said Len Minelli. The store is also selling Jennie-O and Norbest frozen turkeys.
• Niles Polish Deli is selling frozen or smoked turkeys for $2.99 a pound. It also offers pre-baked, stuffed turkeys for $4.59 a pound. They simply require heating.
• Trader Joe's, 190 N. Northwest Hwy., Park Ridge, offers fresh, brined turkeys, which are antibiotic free, for $1.99 a pound. They range from 18 to 22 pounds. The store is also offering fresh Glatt Kosher turkeys, which are also brined, in the 12 to 16 pound range, for $2.49 per pound.

If you're buying frozen, you may have to start defrosting a larger bird by today. Smaller birds can wait a little longer to thaw.

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