Active Time

　　30 min

　　Total Time

　　4 1/2 hr

　　A few fresh vegetables and a leftover turkey is all you'll need to create this phenomenal soup — perfect for cold nights and holiday nostalgia.

　　

Ingredients

Makes 6 to 10 servings

　　Carcass from a 14- to 16-lb roast turkey, including skin

　　4 qt water

　　1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled

　　2 tablespoons vegetable oil

　　2 medium onions, chopped

　　3 medium carrots, chopped

　　3 celery ribs, chopped

　　6 oz medium dried egg noodles (about 3 1/4 cups)

　　1 cup frozen peas (from a 10-oz package)

　　2 to 3 cups coarsely chopped cooked turkey meat (without skin)

　　

Step 1

Pull carcass into large pieces. Combine carcass, water, and thyme in a 7- to 10-quart pot and simmer, uncovered, skimming froth, 3 hours. Discard large bones with a slotted spoon or tongs, then pour broth through a large sieve into a large bowl.

　　

Step 2

If broth measures less than 12 cups, add water. If not, boil, uncovered, in cleaned pot until reduced to 12 cups. If using broth right away, let stand until fat rises to top, 1 to 2 minutes, then skim off and discard fat. If not using broth right away, cool, uncovered, then chill, covered, before skimming fat (it will be easier to remove when cool or cold).

　　

Step 3

Heat oil in cleaned and dried pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then cook onions, carrots, and celery, stirring occasionally, until onions are golden, 10 to 12 minutes.

　　

Step 4

Add broth and simmer, uncovered, until vegetables are just tender, about 10 minutes. Add noodles, peas, and turkey and simmer, stirring occasionally, until noodles are tender, about 10 minutes.

　　Cooks' notes:

　　•Broth can be made 2 days ahead and cooled, uncovered, then chilled, covered.

　　•Soup keeps 5 days. Cool, uncovered, before chilling, covered.