Another Family Thanksgiving Recipe

Said Family's Spice-Rubbed Turkey With Rice Stuffing

8 servings

Centreville resident Amiza Said says that in East Africa, where she was born, her family usually cuts turkeys into parts for roasting rather than roast whole birds. In this country, she and her mother devised this recipe for a more flavorful Thanksgiving turkey. She says the spice mix can be doubled or tripled for a larger bird. Said prefers to cook smaller turkeys, which she has a little harder time finding at this time of year.

In this preparation, she does not use a roasting rack.

For the spice rub:

1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom, preferably freshly ground

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon garam masala (Indian spice blend)

1 teaspoon salt, or to taste