Turkey Mercedes

(quantities for approx. 16 lb turkey)

Our new Thanksgiving and/or Christmas tradition.  Takes a little while to do the garlic but it’s worth it!

3 heads garlic, peeled

1 Tb black pepper

1 Tb ground cumin

1 Tb dried oregano

2 Tbs salt (or to taste)

2 c fresh lemon juice (from 10 lemons—or cheat like me and use the stuff from the bottle)

1 c dry white wine

½ of a 12-oz can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

Crush peeled garlic cloves and whisk in large bowl with pepper, cumin, oregano, and salt. Whisk in lemon juice, wine, and oj concentrate till well mixed. 

Poke a bunch of holes in the turkey with a sharp knife and pour the marinade over it. 

Then the really fun part: stuff as many garlic pieces from the marinade as possible into the holes. 

Cover with foil, refrigerate, marinate overnight. 

Dream of heroically vanquishing vampires. 

Baste about every half hour while baking. 

Leftovers make for a zesty carcass soup.