- 1 Whole Turkey (15 lb) fresh or frozen (thawed)
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup peach preserves
- 2 Tbsp Bourbon
- 5 pickled peaches for garnish
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Remove giblets and neck from turkey; reserve for gravy. Rinse turkey with cold running water and drain well. Blot dry with paper towels.
- Sprinkle salt and pepper in the cavities of the bird.
- Fold neck skin and fasten to the back with skewers. Fold the wings under the back of the turkey. Return legs to tucked position.
- Place turkey, breast side up, on a rack in a large shallow (no more than 2 1/2" deep) roasting pan. Insert an oven-safe thermometer into thickest part of the thigh, being careful it does not touch the bone.
- Roast turkey about 3 hours 45 minutes.
- Baste with the pan juices.
- Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, over low heat, combine preserves, Bourbon and bitters. Cook until preserves are melted.
- During the last 30 minutes of roasting time, baste the bird with the Bourbon/peach glaze. Continue to roast until the thermometer registers 180°F in the thigh, or 170°F in the breast.
- Remove turkey from the oven and allow the bird to rest for 15-20 minutes before carving.
- Place on a warm large platter and garnish with pickled peaches.
(Grammie Jan)