Galopoula Gemisti (Stuffed turkey)

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Galopoula Gemisti - about this recipe

Stuffed turkey from Greece which is traditionally eaten on Christmas Day. This turkey is often the first meat eaten for 14-40 days, as members of the Greek Orthodox Church have a period of fasting leading up to Christmas Day.

Servings

10 servings

Ingredients

• 1 x 5kg turkey
• 1 lemon, cut in half
• Butter
• 500 g minced beef
• 10 roasted chestnuts, chopped
• 50 g pine nuts
• 2 medium onions, finely diced
• 60 ml brandy
• Seasoning

Mise en place

Pre-heat the oven to 180° C (350° F - gas 4).

Method

1. Wash and dry the turkey, rub it with the lemon and season inside and out.
2. Melt spme butter in a frying pan and sauté the onion for a couple of minutes.
3. Add the beef, allow to brown and stir in the brandy.
4. Stir in the chestnuts, pine nuts, and further seasoning and remove from heat.
5. When cool enough to handle, stuff the turkey cavity with the mixture and sew it up.
6. Rub the turkey with butter and roast for 4-5 hours.

Serving suggestions

In Greece, it is served with tzatziki but try cooking your turkey this way at Christmas with the usual accompaniments.

Variations

Instead of the beef, you can use a mixture of rice and chopped bacon.