Turkey Soup with Root Vegetables

A recipe for Thanksgiving leftovers. Instead of the turkey carcass, you can use 3 to 4 pounds of turkey necks, backs, and wings. Serve the soup with Parmesan cheese.

• Preparation Time: 40 mins
• Cooking Time: 3 hr
• Total Time: 3 hr 40 mins
• Calories: 276 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
• salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons minced Italian parsley
• 1 Spanish onion, chopped
• 1 roast turkey carcass, cut into pieces
• 12 cups cold water
• ¼ bunch Italian parsley
• 12 whole black peppercorns
• 1 large parsnip, peeled and diced
• ½ pound rutabagas, peeled and diced

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bring the turkey carcass and water to a boil in a large pot over high heat. Skim off and discard any scum that forms. Add the chopped celery, chopped carrots, chopped Spanish onion, 1/4 bunch parsley, bay leaves, and peppercorns and return to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 3 hours. Strain the turkey broth through a mesh sieve and skim off any fat that floats to the surface.

Step 2

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in the red onion; cook until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the diced celery, diced carrots, parsnip, and rutabaga; cook 5 minutes more. Stir in the garlic and chopped parsley, and cook for 1 minute more. Pour in the turkey broth, season to taste with salt and pepper, and bring to a simmer over high heat.

Step 3

Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the vegetables are nearly tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in the orzo and cook until just tender, about 7 minutes. Cover and remove the pot from the heat. Let stand until the orzo is tender, about 5 minutes.