Christmas Goose

Ingredients

• 1 10-12 lb. goose, thawed
• 1-1/2 gallon cold water
• 1 cup kosher salt
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 apple, peeled and quartered
• 1 onion, peeled and quartered
• 1 orange, quartered
• 1 lemon, quartered
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Pour 1-1/2 gallons of cold water into a large stockpot. Add the salt, sugar, bay leaves, and peppercorns, and stir until the salt and sugar dissolve. Make sure there is nothing inside the goose's cavity and submerge it in the pot. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove the goose from the brine and pat dry with paper towels, inside and out. Sprinkle the goose cavity with salt and pepper. Fill the cavity with onion, apple, orange, and lemon quarters. Salt and pepper to taste. Place the goose, breast-side up, in a large roasting pan with a rack and add 2 cups of water to the bottom of the pan. Roast at 350° F for about 2 to 3 hours, until it reaches an internal temperature of 170° F. Allow the goose to stand for about half an hour before serving.

Recipe courtesy of farmersalmanac.com. Click to order the Farmer's Almanac!