Meals Matter

Roast Turkey with Chestnut Stuffing

Contributed By: EatingWell
Recipe by: G. Franco Romagnoli, Photo by: Ken Burris

During the autumn season in Italy, turkey is often deliciously paired with a stuffing of chestnuts and sausage. With Italy being one of the largest producers of chestnuts, it was expedient to put the two together in another happy marriage of New and Old world.

Ingredients

10 cups Chestnut Stuffing (do recipe search)

1 12-14 lb Turkey

1 Lemon, cut in half

2 tsp Chopped fresh rosemary

1 tsp Chopped fresh sage

1/2 tsp Salt

Freshly ground pepper to taste

2 slices Bacon

2 tbsp Olive oil

1 cup Dry white wine

3 cups Giblet broth or reduced-sodium chicken broth

2 tbsp Water

1 tbsp Cornstarch

Preparation

1. Make Chestnut Stuffing through step 6.


2. Preheat oven to 325 F. Coat a large roasting pan and a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray.


3. Remove the giblets and neck from the Turkey and reserve for Giblet Broth. Remove any visible fat from the turkey. Rinse the turkey well and pat dry. Rub the cavity with lemon halves, squeezing them as you go. Make a few slits under the wings, where the legs join the body in the fleshiest part of the breast. Stuff each slit with a bit of rosemary and sage.


4. Stuff cavity and neck part with about 5 cups of the stuffing, securing neck cavity with a skewer. Place remaining stuffing in the prepared baking dish; cover and refrigerate until needed. Sprinkle the turkey with salt and pepper. Place bacon slices crosswise on the breast. Cover with a piece of cheescloth big enough to cover the whole bird. Dribble oil across the cloth to moisten slightly. Tie drumsticks together.


5. Place the turkey, breast side up, in the prepared roasting pan. Roast for 1 hour. Pour wine over the turkey and baste a few times. Continue to roast for two hours more, basting with pan juices several times. Remove the cheesecloth and bacon and roast until turkey is done, an addtional 30-60 minutes. (An instant read-thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the of thigh should register 180 F and 165 F in the stuffing). Total cooking time will be 3 1/2 to 4 hours.


6. While turkey is roasting, make Giblet Broth. About 30 minutes before the turkey is ready, cover the reserved stuffing with a lid or foil and bake until heated through, 35 to 45 minutes. If you like a crisp top, uncover for the last 15 minutes of baking.


7. When the turkey is ready, place in on a carving board of platter. Scoop stuffing into a serving bowl, cover and keep warm. Tent turkey with foil and keep warm. Pour drippings from the roasting pan into a bowl; chill in the freezer so that fat can be skimmed off. Place the roasting pan over medium heat and pour in broth; bring to a boil, stirring to scrape up any browned bits. Cook for 5 minutes, then transfer to a medium saucepan. Skim fat from chilled drippings and add drippings to the saucepan; bring to a simmer. Mix water and cornstarch in a small bowl; add to the simmering sauce, whisking until gently thickened.


8. Remove string from drumsticks and carve the turkey, discarding skin. Serve with stuffing and gravy.

Cook's Notes

Makes 12 servings, plus leftovers.

Find recipe for Chestnut Stuffing

Reprinted with permission of EatingWell, The Magazine of Food & Health

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Recipe Details

Total Preparation Time: 1 hour
Ingredients: Chicken & Turkey
Actual Cooking Time: No Cooking Required
Number of Servings: Single
Origin: American
Nutrition Content: High Fiber
Holiday: Thanksgiving
Christmas
Meal Type: Entree

Nutrient Information

Calories: 515
Total Fat: 17 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Carbohydrates: 37 g
Protein: 50 g
Sodium: 701 mg
Fiber: 5 g