Thanksgiving Menu - Roasted Capon

Preheat the oven to medium. Rub the inside of the capon with butter. Place chestnuts in a pot of water and add fennel seeds and red wine for flavor. Boil until chestnuts are done - when they can be penetrated with a fork. Start checking them after about 10 minutes, because you don't want them to get too soft. Let the chestnuts cook, then peel and cut them into pieces.

Remove the skin from the sausage and cut it into sections. Place the sausage in a pan and, as it cooks, break it into small pieces. Season with salt and pepper. When the sausage is done, remove it to a bowl, leaving the grease behind.

Saute the interiors in butter and sage until cooked, then chop them. Add the interiors and chestnuts to the sausage and mix well. Stuff this mixture inside the capon, place capon in the oven, and roast for about 1 hour per pound. If you see that the capon is getting too dry as it cooks, add water.

Variation: This capon is also good stuffed with Polenta and sausage.