Braised Turkey Legs with Cranberries, Soy Sauce, Star Anise, and Sweet Potatoes

1. Prepare Cranberry Mixture

Create the cranberry mixture by simmering water, soy sauce, honey, sherry, scallions, two whole star anise pods, ginger, and garlic in a small saucepan for about 10 minutes. Strain the mixture, discard solids, and whisk in peanut or safflower oil. Mix a quarter cup of this marinade with cranberries and an additional tablespoon of honey.

2. Marinate Turkey Drumsticks

Season the turkey drumsticks with salt and pepper, coat them in the strained marinade, and allow to marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.

3. Roast Turkey Drumsticks

Preheat oven to 450°F. Arrange the marinated drumsticks on a foil-lined, rimmed baking sheet, scatter broken star anise pieces around them, and roast for 30 minutes. Toss sweet potatoes with oil, salt, and pepper, and place on a second baking sheet with thyme sprigs. Add sweet potatoes to the oven 15 minutes into roasting the drumsticks.

4. Finish Roasting and Serve

After 30 minutes, turn the drumsticks, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F, and turn the sweet potatoes. Pour the cranberry mixture over the drumsticks and continue roasting until the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and sweet potatoes are caramelized, about 20 to 35 minutes more. Drizzle collected sauce over the turkey and sweet potatoes before serving.