- 1 roast turkey carcass, cut into pieces
- 12 cups cold water
- 3 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 1 Spanish onion, chopped
- 1/4 bunch Italian parsley
- 2 bay leaves
- 12 whole black peppercorns
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 red onion, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1 large parsnip, peeled and diced
- 1/2 pound rutabagas, peeled and diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons minced Italian parsley
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- Bring the turkey carcass and water to a boil in a large pot over high heat. Skim off and discard any scum that forms. Add the chopped celery, chopped carrots, chopped Spanish onion, 1/4 bunch parsley, bay leaves, and peppercorns and return to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 3 hours. Strain the turkey broth through a mesh sieve and skim off any fat that floats to the surface.
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in the red onion; cook until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the diced celery, diced carrots, parsnip, and rutabaga; cook 5 minutes more. Stir in the garlic and chopped parsley, and cook for 1 minute more. Pour in the turkey broth, season to taste with salt and pepper, and bring to a simmer over high heat.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the vegetables are nearly tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in the orzo and cook until just tender, about 7 minutes. Cover and remove the pot from the heat. Let stand until the orzo is tender, about 5 minutes.