Step 1
Toast 5 tsp. aniseed in a dry small skillet over medium warmth, tossing sometimes, till aromatic, about 3 minutes. Let cool; finely grind in a spice mill or a mortar and pestle. (Alternatively, chop with a knife.)
Step 2
Pulse ½ cup (72 g) Diamond Crystal or ¼ cup plus 1½ tsp. Morton kosher salt, ¼ cup finely grated orange zest, 2 Tbsp. darkish brown sugar, 1 Tbsp. coarsely chopped recent rosemary, 1 Tbsp. recent thyme leaves, 2 tsp. freshly floor black pepper, and 4 tsp. toasted aniseed in a meals processor till finely chopped.
Step 3
Place 1 12–14-lb. turkey (neck, giblets, and spine eliminated and reserved), pores and skin aspect down, on a reducing board. Use a knife to attain down lengthy rectangular bone within the heart of breast. Flip pores and skin aspect up and press down on breastbone to flatten. You must hear a crack and really feel the bones give approach. Sprinkle salt combination liberally throughout turkey, patting to stick. Chances are you’ll not want all of it, nevertheless it’s good to have further since some will find yourself on the baking sheet. Place turkey, breast aspect up, on a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet and chill, uncovered, a minimum of 6 hours and as much as 2 days.
Step 4
Preheat oven to 450°. Prepare 2 medium onions, quartered, 4 giant carrots, peeled, halved, 4 celery stalks, 3 heads garlic, halved, and reserved rosemary and thyme sprigs in a roasting pan. Brush extra salt combination off turkey and pat dry any damp elements with paper towels. Place, pores and skin aspect up, on high of greens; let sit at room temperature half-hour.
Step 5
In the meantime, warmth ½ cup olive oil, 4 broad strips orange zest, and remaining toasted aniseed in a small saucepan till oil is scorching, about 2 minutes; let cool barely.
Step 6
Brush turkey with flavored oil, add ½ cup water to pan, and roast turkey half-hour. Scale back oven temperature to 350° and proceed to roast, brushing with extra oil each 20 minutes, till pores and skin is deep golden brown and crisp and an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest a part of thigh registers 165°, about 1 hour longer. Switch to a platter; tent with foil and let cooked turkey relaxation a minimum of half-hour earlier than carving.
Editor’s observe: This spatchcock turkey recipe was first printed in our November 2014 challenge. Head this manner for extra of our finest Thanksgiving dinner recipes →
