Ingredients

  • Broth
  • 1 turkey carcass, and skin (from one cooked 12 to 14 lb. turkey)
  • 3 large celery ribs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 carrots, quartered
  • 2 large onions, quartered
  • 12 peppercorns, crushed
  • 2 large bay leaves
  • 2 teaspoons salt (optional)
  • Soup
  • 1/4 cup butter or 1/4 cup margarine
  • 3 medium celery ribs, thinly sliced, about 1 cup
  • 3 large carrots, peeled and diced, about 1 cup
  • 2 large onions, diced, about 2 cups
  • 2 medium zucchini, diced, about 1-1/2 cups
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • 1/2 cup uncooked fine noodles (angel-hair) or 1/2 cup long-grain rice
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Method

  • Prepare broth: Cut turkey meat from carcass; chop to measure 3 cups; cover and refrigerate to add to soup. Break up turkey carcass and place with skin in large kettle. Add celery pieces, quartered carrots and onions, peppercorns, bay leaves and salt, if desired. Add 12 to 15 cups water to cover carcass completely. Bring to boil over high heat; reduce heat to low; simmer, covered, 4 hours, stirring occasionally. Cool broth; using colander, strain broth into large bowl; refrigerate to chill completely. Discard turkey bones and cooked vegetables.
  • Prepare soup: In 4-quart saucepan over medium heat, melt butter; add diced celery, carrots, onions, zucchini, garlic, rosemary, and thyme. Cook 7-10 minutes, stirring frequently until vegetables are golden. Remove cooled broth from refrigerator; skim chilled fat from broth surface and discard. Measure 8 cups turkey broth, returning surplus to refrigerator for later use. Add broth to vegetables; bring to boil. Stir in noodles; return to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer, covered, 15 minutes until noodles are tender. Add reserved 3 cups chopped cooked turkey meat and parsley, simmer 3 minutes longer to heat through. Season with salt and pepper.