Alan, thanks for the props, but before going further I must mention that this was a Mario Batali recipe that I gleaned from Gourmet or one of those magazines while sitting in a dentist's office. Best I've ever had.
As for how you made it, I'm sure the turkey substituted nicely. Pork would as well, if you're not worried about swine flu.
And as for events--this is one seriously labor intensive dish, and it would be an event in anyone's kitchen. Good for you for being willing to go through that for the reward--though it's like having a baby I think. The result's so grand, once you're in front of your 'baby' you forget all the pain.