"Some other Southerner correct me if I'm wrong, but I never heard of a deep fried turkey until about 8 years ago, at the outside. That's hardly a 'longtime food favorite'."

No, I'd never heard of this until I got married. Then I found out this is the only way my wife's family eats turkey. I was initially revolted until I finally tried one and haven't looked back since.
_________________________
-Jeff
Rome did not create a great empire by having meetings; they did it by killing all those who opposed them.