Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350, with rack in lowest position. Prepare and stuff the turkey.
2. Cut turkey neck into pieces; combine in a large roasting pan with carrots, onions, and reserved sage stems. Set rack in pan (over vegetables); place turkey on rack, breast side up. Rub turkey with butter; season generously with salt and pepper.
3. Place pan in oven. Pour 6 cups water in bottom of pan; tent with foil. Roast, basting bird every 30 minutes with pan liquids, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh (avoiding bone) registers 125, about 3 1/2 hours.
4. Remove foil; raise oven heat to 400. Continue roasting, basting occasionally, until thigh reaches 170, 45 to 60 minutes more. Tent with foil if bird browns too quickly; add more water if pan becomes dry. Transfer turkey (on rack) to a rimmed baking sheet; cover loosely with foil while making the gravy.