Hot Lines to Holiday Help

Walnuts rancid? Wanna know how long it’s going to take to defrost that 24-pound turkey? The following hot lines have been set up to answer questions during the holidays. And no, you cannot stuff your turkey the night before.

Butterball Turkey Talk-Line: (800) 323-4848, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., CST, weekdays. Ends Dec. 21. Specially trained home economists and nutritionists will answer any questions pertaining to turkey preparation. Be sure to ask for a copy of their collectors’ cookbook.

Fleischmann’s Yeast Inc.: (800) 227-6202, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., PST, weekdays. Available to answer all questions pertaining to baking with Fleischmann’s yeast, Dromedary, or Spice Island products.

Reynolds Turkey Line: (800) 762-FOIL, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST, 7 days. Ends Dec. 31. Consumers will hear a prerecorded message giving directions for roasting turkey using three methods: oven cooking bag method, aluminum foil method and the foil tent method. Consumers who leave their name and address will receive a free copy of the eight-page “Turkey Techniques” recipe brochure.

USDA Meat & Poultry: (800) 535-4555, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, weekdays through Nov. 30; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thanksgiving Day; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. rest of the year. They are on hand to answer any questions on meat and poultry food safety.

Walnut Holiday Hotline: (800) 447-TIPS, open 24 hours. Ends Dec. 31. For baking tips, holiday recipes or any questions about walnuts, leave message on machine and someone will call you back.