51lb Tom and 30 lb hen I'm thrilled! (Processing Photos in the thread)

[the simple life]

Thanks Miss.Prissy, I think I will give it a whirl.
I have kosher salt and sea salt,( and regular old salt) what would you suggest?

Another stupid question, I am roasting this bird but if you were to deep fry one would you brine it first as well or skip it because of the cooking method?
I would like to try a fryer on a turkey one of these days and went shopping for one tonight but can't find one.

 

[card5640]

I use celtic sea salt, I think it makes a big difference in taste. I am glad to hear MissPrissy that they were not tough, I am worried now that I hyped up the whole family with the big bird.

 

[card5640]

Quote:
He fits, he fits! in the oven, w/out the rack, hangs over the pan big time, but I have a lipped cookie sheet underneath that will catch the drippings, I must catch all the drippings, need good gravey to pack the meat into so I can freeze it.

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Ok, I want a few turkeys next year. How am I going to talk the DH into it? He says they are mean.

 

[The Chicken Lady]

I am impressed by all these mega-turkey photos.

 

[Buster52]

Quote:
Turkeys are the sweetest birds I have worked with so far. You have to be very careful or you will fall in love with them. I did, but butchered them anyway.

 

[RlgNorth]

WOW I thought my turkeys were HUGE!! My girl was 18 pounds and my Tom was 30 after I processed them this past weekend.Got them in April as babies thought I did pretty good considering they weren't that old... Mine were same breed as yours GOOD JOB!! whats your secret hehe.
Here was my tom( I do miss them)

 

[MissPrissy]

Quote:
We love our turkeys. They are gentle sweet giants. Nothing like chickens.

 

[RlgNorth]

Mine were soo sweet. My hen exspecially she would follow me all around the yard and when ever I stopped she would cuddle in between my legs I love it!!! My tom was even nice. Dh says we are doing it again next year. Hardest part is butchering them after you have come to like them.

 

[MissPrissy]

Quote:
Agree 100%. That is how I have now have a BB bronze hen who is nearly 2 yrs old still laying eggs and free ranging every day. He is a goliath of a hen! I couldn't do it to her after all she survived through - one of the toms hurt her with his spurs while doing the deed and she gave me many eggs that I hatched.