Roast Turkey with Italian Sausage Seasoning and Vegetables

For Italian sausage seasoning, heat the oil in a medium pan over medium heat, cook onion and garlic, stirring, until translucent but not brown. Remove to a large bowl. Squeeze the sausage meat from the casing into the bowl; add the remaining ingredients, season with salt and pepper and mix well. (Hands work best!)

Preheat the oven to 150°C (130°C fan-forced). Discard the neck from the turkey (or use for stock). Rinse the turkey under cold water, pat dry inside and out with absorbent paper. Season inside the cavity with salt and pepper. Fill the neck cavity with the seasoning and secure the skin over the opening with toothpicks. Fill the large cavity with seasoning, tie the legs together with string, tuck wing tips under the turkey.

Place the turkey on an oiled wire rack in a large flameproof baking dish. Dip the muslin in the melted butter and place it (or the ham skin or prosciutto or bacon) over the turkey. Add stock to baking dish, cover the dish with foil and roast for three hours before adding vegetables.

For the vegetables, par-boil potatoes until almost tender. Drain, then return to hot saucepan and shake over heat for a minute or until the surface is rough. Alternatively, score with a fork. (This will help to make them crisp when roasted). Toss the potatoes and pumpkin with butter and oil in a heavy baking dish. Season with salt and pepper and add to the turkey in the oven.

After turkey has been in the oven for a total of four hours, remove the foil and muslin or ham skin (leave prosciutto or bacon in place) and brush turkey with pan juices. Turn the vegetables to ensure even colouring. Increase the oven temperature to 200°C (180°C fan-forced) and roast turkey and vegetables for a further 30 minutes or until turkey is browned and cooked through.

To test turkey, insert a metal skewer into the thickest part of the thigh. Remove the skewer and press the flesh – if the juices run clear the turkey is cooked. Alternatively, insert a thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey thigh without touching the bone – it should read 90°C. Test the seasoning as well – it should be at least 75°C. Remove the turkey from the dish and stand, covered with foil, for 20 minutes. If vegetables are not golden enough, leave in oven to brown further.

Meanwhile, drain the pan juices from the baking dish into a large jug. Skim fat from the top and discard. Measure the juices and if they do not make two cups add additional chicken stock. Pour into a medium saucepan with wine, cream, mustard and redcurrant jelly. Bring to the boil, whisking to dissolve the jelly. Boil until reduced by one-third, strain and pour into a warm jug to serve.

Sprinkle the turkey with sea salt flakes and serve with sauce and vegetables.