The flavor of heritage turkey breeds is richer and more pronounced than that of commercial turkeys sold at supermarkets nationwide. Put plainly, heritage breeds taste more like turkey. Heritage birds are raised outside, pecking at a varied diet. They tend to have meatier thighs and smaller breasts, and a higher ratio of dark meat to white meat. The Onondaga tribe, among others from the Northeastern United States, would have been able to serve them with forest berries, perking up the rich, dark meat with color and flavor. Sparked with mint, this berry sauce is bright and fruity, with just enough acid to complement the richness of the turkey.
Provided by Sean Sherman
Categories dinner, poultry, roasts, main course
Time 2h
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Remove giblets from the turkey cavity and discard or reserve for another use. Pat the turkey dry using paper towels. Rub the turkey all over with 1/2 teaspoon salt per pound of turkey. Tuck the sage sprigs inside the turkey cavity.
- Set the turkey on a baking sheet, breast-side up. Place in the refrigerator, uncovered, for at least 4 hours and up to 6 hours to dry out the skin (this will help it crisp when it roasts).
- When you are ready to cook the turkey, remove it from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
- Heat the oven to 450 degrees. Pour the rice cooking liquid or stock into a large roasting pan and add the leeks. Place a roasting rack on top, then transfer the turkey to the roasting rack, breast-side up, and tuck the wings underneath. Brush the exposed turkey generously with the oil. Transfer to the oven and roast, 30 minutes. Baste the turkey with the pan juices, adding rice cooking liquid or stock as needed to make sure there is a 1/2-inch layer of liquid at the bottom of the pan.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue roasting, basting every 30 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh reaches 165 degrees, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. If the skin begins to darken too much, tent the turkey loosely with aluminum foil. Brush 1/4 cup maple syrup over the turkey. Transfer turkey to a cutting board to rest for 30 minutes before carving.
- Transfer 3/4 cup of the turkey pan juices to a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add the raspberries or blackberries, cranberries and the mint to the saucepan, stir with a wooden spoon to combine, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries have popped open, the raspberries have fallen apart and the liquid is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup maple syrup, then add maple syrup and mint according to taste.
- Carve the turkey. Smear some berry sauce on each plate. Top with the leeks then the turkey. Garnish with walnuts and pea shoots or microgreens, and pass more berry sauce alongside.
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Rajb Atri
[email protected]This recipe is a great way to use up leftover turkey.
Adnan Wada
[email protected]I'm not a fan of mint, so I omitted the berry mint sauce from this recipe. The turkey was still delicious.
Ajaib Sahil
[email protected]I'm allergic to walnuts, so I substituted pecans in this recipe. It turned out great!
pustak gurung
[email protected]This recipe is a bit pricey, but it's worth it for a special occasion.
Michael Da Mike
[email protected]I'm not sure if I did something wrong, but my turkey didn't turn out as moist as I would have liked.
Raheem Bux
[email protected]I would definitely make this dish again.
K'Ashza Henderson
[email protected]This recipe is a great way to dress up a traditional Thanksgiving turkey.
Jean Viljoen
[email protected]I love the combination of flavors in this dish. The turkey, berry mint sauce, and black walnuts all go so well together.
AJ Toafia
[email protected]I've never roasted a turkey before, but this recipe made it easy. The turkey was perfect.
Ashley Gina
[email protected]This recipe is a bit time-consuming, but it's worth it. The turkey is fall-off-the-bone tender.
ellae bush
[email protected]I'm not a big fan of turkey, but this dish was surprisingly good.
madhav Thagunna1234
[email protected]The berry mint sauce is the star of this dish. It's so refreshing and flavorful.
Md Mex
[email protected]I made this dish for Thanksgiving dinner and it was a huge success. Everyone loved it!
Rebecca Aladeselu
[email protected]I followed the recipe exactly and the turkey turned out dry. I'm not sure what went wrong.
Shadid FF
[email protected]This recipe is a keeper! The turkey was cooked to perfection and the sauce was out of this world.
ENGINIER THA LION-KID
[email protected]I've made this recipe several times and it's always a hit. The turkey is always cooked perfectly and the berry mint sauce is amazing.
xxlovepartysxx
[email protected]The turkey was moist and flavorful, and the berry mint sauce was delicious. I will definitely be making this dish again.
Tunguta charles
[email protected]This was my first time roasting a turkey, and I was so happy with the results! The berry mint sauce was a perfect complement to the turkey, and the black walnuts added a nice crunch. My family loved this dish, and I will definitely be making it again