For all those who can't wait to nibble at the skin when the turkey comes out of the oven, these cracklings are for you. You won't believe how insanely delicious they are as the star of this salad. Don't be surprised if you start buying turkey thighs on a regular basis, just to make cracklings.
•When freezing the skin, try to spread out the pieces as thinly as possible in a resealable plastic bag to make them easier to cut after you remove them from the freezer. If you can't cut the skin right away, straight from the freezer, wait just a couple of minutes; it thaws fast.
•Cracklings can be cooked 2 days ahead. Cool, uncovered, then chill, covered. Reheat in a small sheet pan in a 325°F oven or in a small heavy skillet on top of the stove.
•Turkey fat, like all poultry fats, contains palmitoleic acid—a monounsaturated fatty acid—that is thought to boost the immune system. The rendered fat remaining from making the cracklings can be used to sauté vegetables to give them an extra-savory flavor.
•The kale can be washed and dried a day ahead and kept chilled in a resealable plastic bag. The trimmed leaves can be thinly sliced 4 hours in advance and kept chilled in the same bag.
Recipe information
Total Time
40 minutes
Yield
Makes 8 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Remove frozen skin from plastic bag and cut it into roughly 3/4-inch pieces (about 1 1/4 cups).
Step 2
Combine the skin, 1 cup water, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a 2- to 3-quart heavy saucepan and briskly simmer mixture, stirring occasionally (the skin tends to stick to the bottom), until water is evaporated and cracklings begin to fry in their own fat (you'll hear the sizzling), about 15 minutes.
Step 3
Reduce heat and continue to fry the cracklings slowly, stirring frequently, until deep golden and crisp, about 10 to 20 minutes longer.
Step 4
Using a slotted spoon, transfer them to paper towels to drain. Taste and season with salt, if necessary. Reserve or discard fat remaining in pan as you wish (see Cooks' Notes).
Step 5
While cracklings are cooking, cut the center rib from the kale and discard, then thinly slice the leaves crosswise.
Step 6
Whisk together lemon juice, mustard, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Add the oil in a stream, whisking, and whisk dressing until it is emulsified.
Step 7
Add kale and toss to coat with dressing.
Step 8
Sprinkle cracklings over salad and grind pepper to taste over it. Toss again just before serving.
