Sausage and Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash

Kaarin's Note:

Sweet squash and spicy sausage...Mmmm! A great fall dish. I made this recipe up after searching for the perfect stuffed squash recipe-I think this is it!The stuffing would also be delicious in turkey or chicken. The squash can be cooked ahead of time-you may need to bake longer after stuffing.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 40 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 20 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 2 acorn squash , halved and seeded
• 1 tablespoon butter , melted
• ¼ teaspoon garlic salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground sage
• 1 lb pork sausage (regular seasoning)
• ½ cup onion , finely chopped
• 1 celery rib , finely chopped
• 4 ounces mushrooms , chopped
• 2 apples , cored and chopped (macintosh)
• 1 cup fine breadcrumb
• ½ teaspoon sage
• salt and pepper
• 1 egg , beaten
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley , chopped

Directions:

1. Combine the melted butter, garlic salt and 1/4 teaspoons sage; brush over cut sides and cavity of squash. Salt and pepper to taste.
2. Bake in a large roasting pan, cut side up, at 400 degrees F for 1 hour, until squash is tender yet still holds its shape.
3. Meanwhile make stuffing: Fry pork sausage until light brown. Remove pork to a colander to drain. Drain all but 2 tablespoons drippings from frypan. Add onion, celery and mushroom; saute 4 minutes. Stir in apple and saute 2 more minutes.
4. Combine the pork, vegetables, and breadcrumbs in a large bowl.
5. Taste and season with sage, salt or pepper if needed (depending on your sausage you may not want to add more seasoning).
6. Stir in the egg and parsley.
7. Fill the squash halves with stuffing-they should be slightly mounded.
8. Return to oven and bake, covered, for 20 more minutes, until the egg is set.
9. Garnish as desired with parsley and shredded romano cheese.

Reviews

[Jessica H.]

This recipe is a winner! I'm notorious for changing things up a bit, so instead of parsley I added some rosemary and thyme. I also added some slivered almonds that I had leftover from another recipe, which added a nice extra layer of texture, and put some swiss cheese on top. Worked so well with this recipe! Thank you, I will definitely be making this again!

[veganD]

Yum! I veganized it by using Gimme Lean Sausage & egg replacer. Very yummy and healthy!

[Peachie Keene]

This dish is so good it is ridiculous! And just as good for leftovers too. I am sooo very glad I stumbled upon it. Thank you for posting! UPDATE - Instead of pork sausage I used Turkey Breakfast Sausage Patties instead and topped it with a round slice of provolone. Healthier and just as tasty!!