Let’s talk turkey. According to my great grandmother, Ben Franklin lobbied to have the turkey be the national bird, instead of the bald eagle. This, bless her heart, gave her an excuse to serve a gigantic roasted turkey at every holiday meal. Personally, I think she just loved turkey so much she used the presidential rumor as an excuse to have what she wanted. Plus my family was too sleepy after eating to get into any arguments, so maybe there was another reason…

Now, because I inherited this love of turkey, I’m with her! Especially turkey burgers. Don’t you ever just have to have a turkey burger? I feel like after Thanksgiving, my appetite for turkey just increases. This may have something to do with the fact that we rarely host big family holidays in our apartment, so we are never left with all the spoils and leftovers of lavish turkey dinners. Therefore, the better half and I don’t ever get the opportunity to tire of the bird.

Cue ground turkey, and, as my go-to bun substitute, Foldit Flatbread. Every bit as versatile and flavorful as beef, ground turkey is leaner, heart healthy, and makes a lot of financial sense after the holiday spending sprees are over and our bills start coming in. I purchase the ground turkey that has dark meat in it for extra flavor. You can season it liberally, add some moisture to the meat (I like green chiles, olive tapenade, or caramelized onions) and throw the patties on the grill or in the pan for a beautiful and fast midweek repast. The Foldit Flatbread keeps the carb calories low, so the focus is on flavor, flavor, and more flavor. And because we’re behaving by using a Foldit, I think a slice of cheese is definitely in order as a topping: say, a nutty Parmesean, or a creamy gouda. But we won’t slouch on the fresh vegetables, either. I like a slice of red pepper and lots of leafy greens on my turkey burger Foldits, too.

My great grandmother might have been misinformed about President Franklin’s opinions, but I think she was certainly on to something with turkey being so delicious, so suitable, and so economical. I’m beginning to think that maybe the turkey should be our national bird, for just those reasons alone. Or, at the very least, our national burger, on a Foldit Flatbread, of course!

Amy at Flatout