TASTY THANKSGIVING TURKEY

Tasty Thanksgiving Turkey image

Provided by Linda DeBenedittis

Categories Turkey

Time 2h30m

Number Of Ingredients 11

13 lb fresh turkey, spotchcocked (butterflied)
1/4 c extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp sage, dried
2 tsp salt and pepper
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
1 Tbsp orange zest
1 orange (can be the one used for zest) cut into pieces
1 apple (I used a gala) cut into pieces
4 celery stalks cut into pieces abot 3 inches long
4 carrots cut into 3 inch pieces
1 sweet onion cut into eight pieces

Steps:

1. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, salt, pepper, sage, crushed red pepper, and orange zest. Set to the side to allow flavors to blend.
2. Wash turkey that has been spotchcocked (I had the grocery butcher do this for me, and they also gave me the backbone removed with some meat on it to use for soup later) with water and pat dry. Place on a cutting board and remove any fat tags from the ends with kitchen shears.
3. Cut up orange, apple. celery, carrot, and onion and spread out on rack of turkey pan.
4. Take oil mixture and rub into both inside and outside sides of the turkey and also under the skin of the breast meat. Generously apply to all areas. Then flatten out the turkey and put it skin side up on top of the fruit and vegetables on the turkey roasting rack inside the turkey pan.
5. Place in an oven that is preheated to 350 degrees. Bake uncovered for entire time. Bake for 45 minutes and rotate pan, then bake another 45 minutes and rotate again. Bake a final 30 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 180 degrees in the deepest part of the thigh without touching the bone. Also, juice should not be pink.
6. Allow turkey to sit for at least 20 minutes before cutting to allow juices to go back into the meat (it really did make a difference).