Roast Turkey with Pepperoni
- One 12- to 14-pound turkey
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1/2 pound thinly sliced pepperoni
- 1 preserved lemonhalved lengthwise, pulp discarded and rind sliced 1/2 inch thick, plus 2 teaspoons minced rind
- 12 large sage leaves, plus 2 sprigs
- 2 rosemary sprigs
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons minced thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon ground fennel
- Pepper
- Season the turkey inside and out with the salt and transfer to a rack set in a roasting pan.
- Refrigerate uncovered overnight.
- Let return to room temperature before cooking.
- Preheat the oven to 300.
- Run your fingers under the breast and thigh skin to loosen; tuck the pepperoni, sliced lemon rind and sage leaves under the skin.
- Stuff the sage and rosemary sprigs in the cavity.
- Tie the legs with string.
- In a medium bowl, blend the butter with the thyme, ground fennel and minced lemon rind.
- Rub the butter all over the turkey and season with pepper.
- Roast the turkey in the lower third of the oven for 2 1/2 hours.
- Increase the oven temperature to 425 and roast for 30 minutes longer, until well browned and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the inner thigh registers 165.
- Transfer the turkey to a carving board and let rest in a warm place for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Strain the pan juices into a bowl.
- Carve the turkey and serve with the juices.
turkey, kosher salt, pepperoni, rind, sage, rosemary sprigs, butter, thyme, ground fennel, pepper
Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/roast-turkey-pepperoni (may not work)