Recipe: Winter Fruit Glazed Turkey

Winter Fruit Glazed Turkey
Servings: 15

12 pound whole turkey fresh or frozen (thawed)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Winter Fruit Glaze:
1 large orange cut in eight wedges, seeds removed
1/4 cup red currant jelly
2 tablespoons orange marmalade
1/2 teaspoon anise seeds ground coarse by mortar/pestle or a coffeegrinder

Turkey Prep
Remove giblets and neck from turkey; reserve for gravy. Rinse turkey with cold running water and drain well. Blot dry with paper towels.

Sprinkle salt and pepper in the cavities of the bird. Place orange wedges in both body and neck cavities.

Fold neck skin and fasten to the back with skewers. Fold the wings under the back of the turkey. Return legs to tucked position.

Winter Fruit Glaze
In 1-cup microwave-safe glass measure combine jelly, marmalade and anise seeds. Cook in microwave at HIGH (100% power) 30 to 45 seconds or until melted.

Brush glaze over turkey during last 15 to 20 minutes of roasting time.

Roasting
Place turkey, breast side up, on a rack in a large shallow (no more than 2-1/2" deep) roasting pan. Insert an oven-safe thermometer into thickest part of the thigh, being careful it does not touch the bone.

Roast turkey in a preheated 325 degree F oven about 3-1/2 hours (total roasting time) basting with the pan juices. During the last 30 minutes of roasting time, baste the bird with the Winter Fruit Glaze. Continue to roast until the thermometer registers 180 degrees F in the thigh and 170 degrees F in the breast.

Remove turkey from the oven and allow the bird to rest for 15-20 minutes before carving. Place on a warm large platter and garnish.

Recipe by The National Turkey Federation.