For a novel twist on the traditional holiday turkey, try this recipe with a blueberry balsamic glaze! Bring bright flavors to your holiday table (or any time you're feeling the craving for turkey) by melding the flavors of sweet blueberries and tart balsamic vinegar.  Your family will love the complex flavor of this dish, and the delicious balance between the fruit and the turkey.  I also suggest using the blueberry sauce on other organic proteins, like tofu (use well-drained extra-firm tofu), pork, or chicken!

The Science

One of the Organic Center's Scientific Councilors, Dr. Girish Panicker, conducted a study that looked at vitamin C levels in blueberry bushes that were grown organically versus those grown conventionally. What his team found was that the use of natural soil amendments, like compost and green manure, has a beneficial effect on blueberry nutrition.  The levels of vitamin C on organic blueberries were significantly higher than their conventional counterparts!

Photo Credit: Nostepinne

The Recipe

Ingredients

For the turkey:

• 1 onion, halved and thinly sliced
• 4 sprigs of rosemary
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 bone-in turkey breast with skin on
• Salt & pepper

For the Blueberry Balsamic Glaze:

• 1 cup frozen blueberries, or 11⁄2  cups fresh blueberries
• 1⁄4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 11⁄2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

For the turkey:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F
2. Place the olive oil, onion slices, and rosemary sprigs in a large oven-safe skillet or roasting pan.
3. Rub the turkey with the oil, and season with salt and pepper, and place in the pan on top of the oil/onion/rosemary combination.
4. Bake for 40 minutes.

For the Blueberry Balsamic Glaze:

1. Place the blueberries and the balsamic vinegar in small sauce pan, and simmer until the liquid reduces and thickens.
2. Add the honey and mustard to the pan.
3. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
4. Once the turkey has been roasting for 40 minutes, take it out and pour the glaze over the top of the turkey.
5. If you have extra blueberries you can surround the turkey with them in the pan.
6. Lower the oven temperature to 350°F and roast the turkey (with the sauce) in the oven for about 20 more minutes, or until the turkey gets to 160°F.

Banner Photo Credit: Gabriel Garcia Marengo; unsplash.com