Fried Turkey Anyone!

[SHERRY]

Just curious if any of you enthusiasts fry whole turkeys? I did last year, and it was great. However, I was wondering if there is a good merinade or seasoning I could use before frying.
Also, anyone know if it is terribly fattening or not?
Only a month until turkey day!

[SoCal]

Sherry,

I've never heard of this and can't wait for the replies! It seems to me that I've seen on cooking shows that if you are frying at the right temperature (HOT!), that there isn't that much oil, and thus fat, that gets into the meat. Hope someone has a better answer.

[ML]

This is wonderful and there are plenty of ways to spice it up!! We use a mixture of all kinds of things and then inject it into the turkey under the skin. You can also buy these mixtures- there are different blends- cajun, etc. at certain stores, they come with the injector and everything. I saw some at Sam's last week- I am sure that you can find them at other food stores and probably on-line.

[Beth H]

Wow -- I can't believe there's only one month left until Thanksgiving. Fried turkey is delicious -- I grew up in Ohio and had never even heard of fried turkey. When I moved to South Carolina, I tried some at a party and loved it. I've never tried making it because you do have to have a large fryer and the ability to cook it outside. I don't know if its fattening or not -- the skin is not as greasy as fried chicken, so maybe it's not so bad. But, even if it is fattening -- I guess it's only once a year, right? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Nicole]

The "theory" I have heard about fried turkey is that it is NOT fattening because the oil seals in the natural turkey juices and does not penetrate the skin of the turkey. I also remember an issue of Martha Stewart where they fried chicken and measured the oil in the pan after they finished cooking. It was only a small fraction less than the amount of oil they started with, indicating that there is only a very small amount of oil that is actually absorbed by the chicken. If it is true, the same should hold true for the turkey.
I've never had fried turkey, but from what I hear it is fabulous. So, maybe its worth it even if the "theory" isn't true..... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Laura B]

My parents have fried turkeys a few times and it is delicious. They bought a huge special deep fryer and did it outside. It is kind of an ordeal. I think they use one of the injectors to flavor underneath the skin.

[Mandy]

Fried Turkey is sooo good. I've only had it once, about a year ago. I have an aunt who lives in Kenya. She said there they do it all the time. So last time she was back in the states she said that she wanted to do it for the family. So my mom rented a huge gas-operated deep fryer, and we deep fried an entire turkey. It was so juicey and moist. The meat may not get a lot of the oil, so the meat may not be high in fat, but when you deep fry it the skin gets so crispy and yummy that you can't hardly keep out of it, so in that sense I wouldn't consider it a "low fat food". http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif But it's well worth a special treat!

[Mandy]

Fried Turkey is sooo good. I've only had it once, about a year ago. I have an aunt who lives in Kenya. She said there they do it all the time. So last time she was back in the states she said that she wanted to do it for the family. So my mom rented a huge gas-operated deep fryer, and we deep fried an entire turkey. It was so juicey and moist. The meat may not get a lot of the oil, so the meat may not be high in fat, but when you deep fry it the skin gets so crispy and yummy that you can't hardly keep out of it, so in that sense I wouldn't consider it a "low fat food". http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif But it's well worth a special treat!

[cookgirl]

MMMMMM. Cajun Fried Turkey ROCKS!
Get the injected kind, the flavor is better, and it slices beautifully (You can see the line of spices.)

[This message has been edited by cookgirl (edited 10-23-2000).]

[carolyn.1]

Sherry--
I have directions at home for frying turkeys if you would like it, I will post it tomorrow. Just let me know --ok? I live in Charleston, SC so it is very common to fry turkeys down here. You will need a turkey pot and stove to cook outside. You can get these items at Sam's club or Walmart may even carry them. I guess it would depend on your locale.
Carolyn

[Wendy w]

As a native Californian, I have never heard of such a thing! I must have been under a rock! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/redface.gif Please post the information, it sounds interesting!

Wendy

[carolyn.1]

I have been trying to post the recipe all day. I keep getting a "denied" message. I do not have time right now--I will try again tomorrow.
Carolyn http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/mad.gif

[Beth]

Walmart here in TX carries marinades, oils for frying, the fryers, just about everything but the turkey itself (and the superstores would have that too). I don't know if Walmart is online, but you could look if there's not one near you (is that possible anymore?).

Academy sporting goods also carries the frying equipment. I've never tried one, but the cajun fried turkeys became quite the rage here several years ago. I'm just not curious enough to buy a fryer that looks big enough to be a wash tub.