Sausage-Stuffed Squash

Hearty enough for a main course, this is one of our favorite recipes for squash.

Ingredients:

2 medium acorn squash, about 1 and 1/2 lbs (I occasionally substitute butternut squash)
2 Italian sausage links, casing removed
1 medium onion (or more to taste), chopped
2/3 cup chopped green pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 and 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan or cheddar cheese (your choice)

Directions:
Cut each squash in half lengthwise, scoop out and discard seeds, forming a 'cup' in each of the four halves. Place squash cut side down, in a microwave-safe baking dish. Cover and microwave on high for 10-12 minutes or until tender.
While squash is cooking, crumble sausage into a large skillet and add the onion, green peppers, and garlic. Cook over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink - drain. Stir in tomato, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
Turn squash over, cut side up. Stuff with sausage mixture and sprinkle with Parmesan or cheddar. Cover and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes or untill heated through.

Serves 4

Mexican chorizo Pizzas

These little pizzas make a great easy meal, or terrific appetizers!
This recipe serves 3 as a meal (everyone gets their own pizza), or 6 as an appetizer.

Red and Green Salsa (recipe below)
8 oz Chorizo sausage
1 cup (4 oz) shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup (4 oz) shredded Monterey Jack cheese (you may alternatively use 8 oz of 'mexican blend', which is a combination of Cheddar and Monterey Jack)
3 (10 inch) flour tortillas

Prepare Red and Green Salsa.

Remove and discard casing from chorizo. Heat a medium skillet over high heat until hot. Reduce heat to medium, and crumble chorizo into skillet. Brown 6 - 8 minutes, stirring to separate. Remove with slotted spoon, and drain on paper towels.

Preheat oven to 450F. Mix cheese in bowl.

Place tortillas on baking sheet (use more than one if necessary). Divide chorizo evenly between tortillas, leaving 1/2 inch from edge of tortilla uncovered. Sprinkle cheeses over top.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes until edges are crisp and golden brown, and cheese is melted.

Transfer to serving plates, and cut each tortilla into 6 wedges. Sprinkle with Red and Green Salsa.

Red and Green Salsa

1 small red bell pepper
1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
3 green onions, sliced thin
2 fresh jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
2 Tbl fresh lime juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 tsp salt

Cut bell pepper lengthwise in half, remove seeds and veins. Cut halves lengthwise into thin strips, cut strips in half. Mix all ingredients in bowl. Let stand, covered, at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving, to blend flavors.

Sausages and Peppers

Sausages and peppers are a staple of Italian street fairs. Originally, the sausages were only available in Italy in the winter months, as that was the only time that the family hog was slaughtered. In America, sausage was available year round, making the this meal all the more popular.




* 3 red bell peppers
* 3 green bell peppers
* 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
* 2 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
* 2 onions, peeled and thinly sliced
* salt
* 8 Italian sausages, sweet or hot


# Wash peppers, remove stems, ribs and seeds. Cut into 1 inch wide strips.
# Heat oil in skillet large enough to hold peppers. Add garlic, and cook until browned. Discard garlic. Add onions to the oil and cook until softened but into browned. Add the peppers and salt to taste, cover the pan, and continue to cook over low heat until the peppers are soft. (about 30 minutes)
# Prick the sausages all over with the tip of a sharp knife. Put in one layer in a heavy frying pan with 2 Tbl water. Cook over medium heat heat, turning often. The water should evaporate and the fat should run so the sausage cooks in it's own juice. Cook until the sausage is browned, and cooked through (10 to 15 minutes).
# Add the peppers and onions to the sausages and heat together 5 minutes.
# *At most street fairs, sausages and peppers are served inside crusty Italian rolls, cut open to hold them.