Turkey with squash dressing - sl 11/87

12 servings

Ingredients

Quantity Ingredient
1 each 19-ounce package cornbread mix
1 cup Onions; chopped
1 cup Celery; chopped
¼ cup Butter or margarine; melted
2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
1½ teaspoon Salt
½ teaspoon Pepper
1 cup Milk
2 cups (8-oz) American cheese; shredded
6 eaches Eggs; slightly beaten
4 eaches (10-oz) packages frozen yellow quash; cooked and drained
1 each 12 to 14 pound turkey
Salt
Vegetable oil

Directions

Prepare cornbread mix according to package directions. Cool on a wire rack. Cut cornbread into ½ inch cubes. Let stand in a loosely covered bowl for 8 hours.

Saute onion and celery in butter until crisp-tender. Add flour, 1-½ teaspoons salt, and pepper, stirring until smooth. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium; gradually add milk. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Add cheese, stir until cheese melts. Gradually stir about one-fourth of hot mixture into eggs; add to remaining hot mixture, stirring constantly. Combine cornbread, squash, and cheese sauce in a large bowl; mix well. Set aside.

Remove giblets and neck from turkey. Rinse turkey with cold water; pat dry. Sprinkle cavity of turkey with salt. Lightly spoon ½ cup of dressing into the neck cavity. Pull neck skin to back of turkey; fasten securely with a small skewer. Lightly spoon half of remaining dressing into the body cavity; do not pack. Close cavity with skewers or wooden picks, and truss. Tie ends of legs to tail with cord; lift wingtips up and over back so that they are tucked under bird. Brush entire turkey with vegetable oil; place on a roasting rack, breast side up.

Insert meat thermometer in breast or meaty part of thigh, making sure it does not touch bone. Bake at 325 degrees F until meat thermometer reaches 185 degrees F (about 3 to 3-½ hours). If turkey starts to brown too much, cover loosely with foil. When turkey is two-thirds done, cut the cord or band of skin holding the drumstick ends to the tail; this procedure will ensure that the insides of the thighs are cooked. Turkey is done when drumsticks are easy to move up and down.

Remove to serving platter; let stand 20 yo 30 minutes before carving.

Spoon remaining dressing into a greased 12" x 8" x 2" baking dish.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes. Yield: 12 to 14 servings.

Mrs. M.L. Shannon of Alabama in November 1987"Southern Living" Typos by Jeff Pruett

Submitted By JEFF PRUETT On 10-19-95

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