WILD TURKEY TUSCAN PASTA

By Jason Thornton
IG: edible_outdoors_cook
www.edibleoutdoorscook.com

Serves 6
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 3 hours 15 minutes

With turkey season in full swing, this classic Italian pasta dish is one that you will want to give a try and impress all of your friends and family.  This one of my favorite ways to cook and serve wild turkey breast.  It is aesthetically pleasing to the eye and easy to make.  It is a one pot dish (minus the pasta pot) that hails from the Italian province of Tuscany.  It pairs well with any red wine if you want to get fancy.  If you find yourself with left-overs, I like to vacuum seal individual portions so that I can eat throughout the year. If you don’t have turkey available, pheasant or chicken makes a great substitute.

INGREDIENTS

12 ounces angel hair pasta
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 side of the wild turkey breast, chopped into bite size pieces
Salt and black pepper
6 slices bacon, chopped into small pieces
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 cup mushrooms, chopped (I prefer oyster mushrooms)
3 Tablespoons sundried tomatoes, chopped
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes - drained
3 cups fresh baby spinach
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken stock (or wild turkey stock if available)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh chopped basil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a large pot, cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. 
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, add oil. Season turkey with salt and pepper and cook until golden brown on each side. Remove from skillet and set aside to let it rest.
3. Meanwhile, in the same skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon, and pat dry with paper towels. Drain out half of the bacon grease from skillet.
4. Add garlic, diced tomatoes, and spinach to skillet and cook over medium heat until the spinach is wilted. Season with salt and pepper, then add heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, stock, mushrooms, and sun dried tomatoes. 
5. Return the turkey and bacon to the skillet, stir to combine, and simmer for 10 minutes to ensure that the turkey is cooked through.
6. Add cooked pasta and toss until fully coated.
7. Garnish with basil and serve immediately.