Garbage Can Turkey

I just received this recipe and think that we just might want to try it for our own Thanksgiving!  Of course, if you want to try it before Thanksgiving, go right ahead!  For this method of cooking, you will need:

HEAVY DUTY aluminum foil

a 15 inch wooden stake (clean--no paint, stain or varnish)

one 12 pound THAWED turkey with the neck and giblets removed

a NEW 15-gallon METAL garbage can with a lid    (After you have used it for this turkey, wash it out and save it for your next turkey.)

No seasonings are necessary.

1.  Lay 3 LONG sheets of your foil out on your grass to make a square that is about 3 foot by 3 foot first.

2.  Pound the wooden stake into the ground in the center of the foil.

3.  Fill the lid of the garbage can with with a large pile of charcoal.  Light it.

4.  Place the thawed turkey onto the stake, legs down.

5.  Turn the garbage can upside down and place over the turkey.

6.  Place piles of charcoal on the top of the can and around the sides of the can. 

7.  Cook for at least 1 1/2 hours or keep going until the coals go out.  DO NOT lift can during cooking!!!

8.  Brush the charcoal off of the can and lift carefully as some of the heat may rush out when you lift the can.

9.  The internal temperature of the turkey should be at least 180 degrees F. (83 degrees C.) when taken in the thickest part of the thigh.

10.  You can brush butter all over the cooked turkey if you want to.

11.  Serve with any foods that you want.

VLE-B