Roasted pheasant with autumn herbs celebrates Italian hunting season traditions. This high protein mediterranean dish is a lean, fresh carnivore family dinner with elegant, gamey flavor.
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and pat the pheasant dry; this helps with browning.
Rub the pheasant with olive oil, season thoroughly with salt and pepper, then stuff the cavity with rosemary, sage, half the garlic cloves, and 1/2 the onion.
Scatter the remaining onion, carrot, celery, and garlic around a roasting pan. Place the seasoned pheasant on top, breast side up.
Roast at 400°F for 30 minutes uncovered to develop a golden skin, basting once with pan juices after 15 minutes.
Reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C), add white wine to the pan, cover loosely with foil, and roast for another 30–40 minutes, basting once halfway through, until an instant-read thermometer in the thigh reads 160°F.
Rest the pheasant tented with foil for at least 10 minutes before carving, to ensure juicy meat. Serve with the roasted vegetables and pan juices.