Processing my turkey

[Dawnclucks22]

When I processed birds we just rinsed it out too. @Ivy Love , where are you when we need you?

 

[Ivy Love]

You should be fine! My family and I just processed 7, and we just put them into a cool fridge. Typically you do put them in ice water first, but if it was cold outside you can pull it off

 

[fairie]

okay now we have roasted our turkeys... any recipes for excess turkey fat? our male bird had about an inch of breast fat. Recipes welcome

 

[rjohns39]

Is it rendered?

 

[Maeschak]

Render and use like schmaltz! I accidentally did this once thinking it was chicken skin/fat. Or, render it and mix in animal feed for a treat for your other animals this winter.

 

[rjohns39]

I was thinking it would make awesome matzo balls. Or you can use it (once rendered) in place of shortening in many recipes.

 

[fairie]

Is it rendered?

It's not rendered, I was looking for a recipe on HOW TO. I have never done it. Thanks.

 

[aart]

It's not rendered, I was looking for a recipe on HOW TO. I have never done it. Thanks.

Had it been roasted with the bird...or did you save the raw fat?
If it's been roasted, the fat has probably all rendered out.

Never rendered poultry fat, but have done pork fat(cut off raw belly bacon) by cutting in small pieces and heating over very low heat until all the fat has come out and nothing left but crispy cracklins, then spoon or strain out the rendered fat.

I find google to be pretty good place to get started on a topic I need to learn.

 

[Maeschak]

It's not rendered, I was looking for a recipe on HOW TO. I have never done it. Thanks.

This is the recipe I used when I accidentally made schmaltz w turkey skin instead of chicken skin.

https://www.splendidtable.org/story/how-to-make-schmaltz

Basically, chill or throw skin into freezer for a brief amount time. (This just helps to make slicing skin easier). Then slice the skin as thin as you can (or cut or chop or whatever). The smaller the bits of skin and fat, the easier it will be to render. Then add a bit of water and get the skin and water concoction to simmer. (You don't need the water, it just helps to get the skin/fat to start rendering- the water will eventually steam out). Cook on low until the fat has rendered from the skin. Strain and chill!

 

[aart]

Cook on low until the fat has rendered from the skin.

.....and all the water is gone.