Turkey — Dinde, Dindonneau

Considering its history, the turkey must surely suffer from cultural confusion. Native to the New World, the turkey was transported to Europe by Spanish explorers in the 16th century. In Europe, the turkey made guest appearances at royal feasts and on the tables of the wealthy. It was then brought back to the New World where it was bred with its wild ancestors. To early North American colonists, however, the turkey was no luxury—often it was the one thing standing between themselves and starvation. This, of course, gives rise to the turkey’s place of honor at Thanksgiving meals in the United States and Canada alike.