Whole Roasted Turkey With Fennel Spice Rub

Ingredients

• 2 (8-10 lb)  turkey

• 2 small onions, peeled
• 2 carrots, halved
• 2 celery ribs, halved
• 1 quart chicken stock
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 8 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 2 lemons, halved
• 4 large carrots, halved lengthwise
• 8 celery ribs
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup butter

Fennel Spice Rub

• 1 cup fennel seed
• 3 tablespoons coriander seeds
• 2 tablespoons white peppercorns
• 3 tablespoons kosher salt

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

2. 2

   Remove necks and giblets and put into a large saucepan. Add onions, 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks, and the chicken stock. Bring to a boil over high heat and then reduce the heat and let simmer until reduced to about 2 cups. Strain and reserve; this is the turkey stock that you will use for the gravy.

3. 3

   Wash the turkeys, inside and out, and dry well. Coat inside and out with half of the olive oil. Season each turkey on the outside generously with the spice rub (recipe is below), pressing it in to adhere. Place 4 rosemary sprigs and 2 lemon halves inside the cavity of each turkey.

4. 4

   Arrange 4 of the halved carrots and 4 celery stalks on each of 2 half-sheet pans or baking sheets. Position each turkey on top of the carrots and celery so that the turkey does not rest directly on the bottom of the pan. Drizzle turkeys with remaining olive oil.

5. 5

   Roast until an instant-read thermometer (inserted deep into the thigh but away from the bone) reads 165 degrees F and juices in the thigh run clear when pierced with a fork, about 2 to 2 1/2 hours; begin checking at 2 hours. Remove from the pans and let rest for 15 minutes before carving. Reserve pan juices for gravy.

6. 6

   While turkeys are resting, make the gravy. In a medium heavy saucepan, cook flour and butter over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, or until a blond roux is formed. Add pan juices and then reserved turkey stock and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and let simmer until thickened and ready to serve.

7. 7

   Carve turkey as desired and serve with gravy.

8. 8

   Fennel Spice Rub:.

9. 9

   Put the fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and peppercorns in a heavy pan over medium heat. Watch carefully, tossing frequently so the seeds toast evenly. When light brown and fragrant, pour the seeds onto a plate to cool. They must be cool before grinding, or they will gum up the blades.

10. 10

    Pour the seeds into a blender and add the salt. Blend to a fine powder, shaking the blender occasionally to redistribute the seeds. Store in a tightly sealed glass jar in a cool, dry place, or freeze.