Turkey With Southwest Stuffing

Ingredients:

• Turkey; 10 To 12 Lbs
• Butter Or Margarine; Melted

Southwest Stuffing:

• 1 c Chayote; Chopped
• 4 Jalapeno Chiles; seeded and finely chopped
• 2 Cloves Garlic; Finely Chopped
• 1 c Onion; Finely Chopped
• 1 c Margarine Or Butter; Melted
• 1 tb Fresh Cilantro; Snipped
• 1 ts Salt
• 1/2 ts Thyme Leaves; Dried
• 1/2 ts Sage Leaves; Dried
• 9 c Corn Bread; 1-inch cubes
• 1 c Pecans; Chopped
  

Directions:

For Southwest Stuffing:

• Cook and stir chayote, chiles , garlic, and onion in margarine in 10-inch skillet until chayote is tender.
• Stir in cilantro, salt, thyme, and sage until well blended.
• Stir in about 1/3 of the cornbread cubes. Turn mixture into deep bowl.
• Add the remaining cornbread cubes and pecans.
• Toss and fill turkey.

For Turkey:

1. Fill wishbone area of the turkey with stuffing. Fasten neck skin to back with skewer. Fold wings across back with tips touching.
2. Fill body cavity lightly. (Do not pack as stuffing will expand.) Tuck drumsticks under band of skin at tail or skewer to tail.
3. Spoon any remaining stuffing into a small un greased casserole; cover. (Refrigerate leftover stuffing until 30 minutes before turkey is done.)
4. Bake covered until hot, bout 45 minutes.)
5. Heat oven to 325 degrees F.
6. Place turkey breast side up in roasting pan. Brush with Margarine. Insert meat thermometer in thigh muscle or breast, not touching the bone. (Tip of thermometer can be inserted in center of stuffing also) Do not add water and do not cover.
7. Roast until done, 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Place a tent of aluminum foil loosely over turkey when it begins to turn golden.
8. After 2 1/2 hours, cut band or remove skewer holding legs.
9. Turkey is done when the thermometer placed in the thigh muscle registers 185 degrees or drumstick meat feels very soft when pressed between fingers. (Thermometer inserted in the stuffing will register 165 degrees F.)
10. Let stand about 20 minutes before carving.
11. As soon as possible after serving, remove every bit of stuffing from the turkey.
12. Cool stuffing and turkey promptly; refrigerate separately, and use within 2 days.