maxine in ri wrote:
>
>The biggest things I've bought and cooked were a 24 lb turkey and a
>whole brisket, around 7-9 lb.
>
>I'd never by quite that large a turkey again, maybe 18 pounds tops, in
>part because it's too heavy for me to handle alone.

Next time you need that much turkey roast two small hens (12 pounders)
rather than one large tom. The two hens will fit into your oven
together and will require far less cooking time than one large tom.
Hens are easier to handle. Hens contain a greater ratio of meat to
waste. And two birds, one at each end of a table make a fine
presentation and are easier to serve.