A question about WDW Turkey Legs

[JessicaR]

Does anyone know if the Turkey Legs at WDW are basted or marinated in a sugar base? I figured this would be a great help for me to stay on Atkins while visiting the World. I just read a post on another board that said they contain sugar. Anyone know? Thanks so much!

[disnygoof]

I remember watching the "Unwrapped" special on WDW food on the Food Network several months ago. I tried searching for the nutrition info, but couldn't find any DIRECT from Disney. I'm sure if you called them you could find out for sure, but I did find a recipe that claims to be "close" to it. Here it is:

Smoked Turkey


1 c. tender quick salt
1/2 c. brown sugar
5 tsp. liquid smoke
1 gal. water (or amount to cover pieces)
1 turkey, chicken or turkey legs


Add all together and keep in covered container in refrigerator. Let stand for 24 hours. When ready to roast, rinse off turkey and roast 2 hours at 350 degrees (whole bird) and then lower oven to 300 degrees until turkey is done. Turkey legs, pork chops, steaks and roasts can also be used this way.


Adjust roast times for different cuts.


Source: http://www.idunno4recipes.com


NOTE: These would also be delicious made in a smoker or slowly grilled over indirect heat.

I remember they said they injected the legs with something, but I don't think it was sugar. I'll call and ask, b/c I am curious. I love those things!!

Christiana

[bicker]

I believe what you've described is a brine, which many cooks use to make turkey (and other foods) more tender. Some cooks go further, and inject the brine into the meat. It is more effective that way. I suspect that's what Disney does.

That is problematic, since it is not possible to know what percentage of the sugar made it into the food. To be safe, I would figure that close to all of it did. That would make turkey legs extremely hazardous to Atkins dieters, and not terribly good choices for those watching calorie intake.

[JessicaR]

Thank you so much disnygoof and bicker! I suspected I would have to pass on the turkey legs. Now I will for sure. I wish it was an option:(

[dizneegirl]

We indulge in turkey legs while we're at the World... with all the walking and water drinking to counter-act the heat, we've never had a problem... we've even come back from vacation lighter than we've started.

I don't know that I'd eat them 3 meals a day, but they certainly didn't cause any cravings, and didn't cause any problems for DH, who is now EXTREMELY sensitive to carbs.

I highly recommend the sugar-free cheesecake in Epcot, and the sugar-free vanilla ice cream at MGM (down by ToT & R'nR)!

:)

[bicker]

Originally posted by dizneegirl
with all the walking and water drinking to counter-act the heat, we've never had a problem... we've even come back from vacation lighter than we've started.I actually apply that logic to the Mickey Ice Cream bars! I almost always have one, figuring that I'll still lose weight with all the walking.

Not sure I'd recommend that approach to others, especially in a weight-loss forum! :D

[dizneegirl]

I certainly wouldn't recommend the Mickey bars approach... but the big hunk of protein in the turkey legs... not a bad thing. Even *if* there is a little sugar involved (though, really... they don't taste sweet like some of the rotisserie chickens do...).