With holidays nearing, get ready to talk turkey

IT’S time to order heritage turkeys before they’re all gone.

These turkeys, unlike what you’ll find at the supermarket, are raised with serious care and attention. They’re pricier, with less white meat, but they’re terrifically flavorful.

Slow Food Los Angeles is taking orders for heritage turkeys raised in Frank Reese’s Good Shepherd Ranch in Kansas. (His Bourbon Reds and Standard Bronze turkeys are the oldest continuous flock of Standard bred turkeys in the United States.) Birds are in three weight groupings: 11 to 14 pounds; 15 to 18 pounds; 19 or more pounds.

All birds will be delivered fresh to a central location in L.A., one week before Thanksgiving at $5 a pound.

To order or for information, e-mail heritageturkey [email protected]. A $50 deposit is required, with the remainder payable when you pick up your bird. Order by Nov. 5.

Heritage Food USA is selling American Bronze turkeys (shipped frozen) from various producers. Order by Nov. 10. Turkeys 8 to 10 pounds, $59; 11 to 14 pounds, $79; 19 pounds and over, $99. You can order by phone, (212) 980-6603, or online at www.heritagefoodsusa.com.

Mary’s Turkeys of Pitman Farms in Madera has raised about 4,000 heritage turkeys for this year’s holiday. Fresh turkeys can be pre-ordered from:

* Bristol Farms. All stores will have them fresh and take orders starting Nov. 1 and while supplies last ($5.99 a pound). For store locations, visit www.bristolfarms.com.

* Jensen’s Fine Foods. Only the Palm Springs, Palm Desert, La Quinta and Blue Jay locations will have heritage birds fresh. They will take orders starting Nov. 1 and while supplies last ($5.49 per pound). For locations, visit www.jensensfoods.com.

* Jimbo’s (San Diego, Carlsbad and Escondido). Fresh turkeys will be available as supplies last. Order starting Nov. 1; the price per pound will be available that day at www.jimbos.com.

* Mary’s Turkeys’ website. You can order directly from the farm at www.marysturkeys.com. The turkeys are shipped frozen. Order by Nov. 10. One 7-to-11-pound turkey, $40; two 7-to-11-pound turkeys, $50; one 12-to-16-pound turkey, $70. Shipping is $25 per order.