Roast Turkey with Vegetable Stuffing

 

2

tablespoons butter or margarine

2

medium celery stalks, sliced (1 cup)

1

medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)

1/4

cup chopped fresh parsley

1

tablespoon chopped fresh sage leaves or 1 teaspoon dried sage leaves

1 1/2

teaspoons chopped fresh marjoram leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram leaves

3/4

teaspoon chopped fresh tarragon leaves or 1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon leaves

1/2

teaspoon salt

7

cups soft bread cubes

2

medium carrots, shredded (1 1/2 cups)

1

medium zucchini, shredded (1 cup)

1

cup chopped fresh mushroom (4 ounces)

1

whole turkey, 12 pounds, thawed if frozen

• 1 Heat oven to 325ºF. Melt butter in 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook celery and onion in butter, stirring frequently, until onion is tender. Stir in parsley, sage, marjoram, tarragon and salt. Mix bread cubes, carrots, zucchini and mushrooms in large bowl. Add celery mixture; toss.
• 2 Fill wishbone area of turkey with stuffing first. Fasten neck skin to back with skewer. Fold wings across back with tips touching. Fill body cavity lightly with stuffing. (Place any remaining stuffing in small ungreased baking dish; cover and refrigerate. Place in oven with turkey the last 30 minutes of roasting.) Tuck drumsticks under band of skin at tail, or tie together with heavy string, then tie to tail.
• 3 Place turkey, breast side up, on rack in shallow roasting pan. Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is in thickest part of inside thigh and does not touch bone.
• 4 Roast uncovered 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours or until thermometer reads 165°F and drumsticks move easily when lifted or twisted. Thermometer inserted in center of stuffing should read 165°F.When two-thirds done, cut band of skin or string holding legs. Place a tent of aluminum foil loosely over turkey when it begins to turn golden brown. Let turkey stand 20 minutes before carving. Cover and refrigerate any remaining turkey and stuffing separately.