Goose With Caramel Apples

• 1 (10 to 13-pound):goose, giblets and neck discarded
• 3 garlic cloves, :thinly sliced
• 8 Gala or Golden Delicious apples, :peeled, each cut into 6 wedges
• 1/4 cup :fresh lemon juice
• 6 tablespoons :sugar
• 1/4 cup :apple liqueur
• 1-1/2 teaspoons :ground cinnamon

Preparation

1. Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 350. Rinse goose inside and out; pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle inside and out with salt and pepper.
2. Using knife, cut small slits all over goose; place garlic slices into slits. Place goose on rack, breast side down, in large roasting pan.
3. Roast goose 2 hours 45 minutes, basting occasionally with drippings and removing excess fat; reserve 6 tablespoons fat. Turn goose over.
4. Roast until brown and thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 175, basting occasionally with drippings, about 45 minutes longer.
5. Meanwhile, toss apples and lemon juice in large bowl. Pour 6 tablespoons goose fat into 15x10x2-inch glass baking dish.
6. Using slotted spoon, transfer apples to baking dish; toss apples in goose fat. Add sugar, apple liqueur and cinnamon to apples; toss. Bake apples alongside goose until very tender and golden, about 1 hour.
7. Serve goose with caramelized apples.