Cucuzza Recipe Book Food

ITALIAN CUCUZZA STEW

Steps:

• Brown the ground beef in a skillet, drain and set aside.
• In a large dutch oven, add the olive oil and sauté the onion, celery, carrot, and garlic for about 4-5 minutes, or until the onions are translucent.
• Add the ground beef to the pot along with the can of whole tomatoes, add the cucuzza, and the rest of the ingredients. Bring to a boil and simmer, uncovered for around 45 minutes or until the squash is cooked.

CUCUZZA CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Sift flour, cinnamon, baking soda and baking powder together and set aside.
• Beat eggs with sugar, oil and vanilla.
• Add flour mixture to egg mixture, mix well.
• Add grated cucuza (skin, seed and all), orange zest, pineapple and pecans.
• Mix well.
• Divide batter into 2 greased loaf pans.
• Pan should be about 1/2 full.
• Bake for 45 minutes, or until cakes test done.
• Let cool for about 10 minutes.
• Mix all icing ingredients together, using enough milk to get a smooth, spreadable icing.
• Remove cakes from pans and glaze tops of cakes while warm.

CUCUZZA STEW

Steps:

• Heat oil in a 6 quart dutch oven. Saute Cucuzza, onions, garlic and peppers until translucent or about 5 or 6 minute Add the can of tomatoes and the juice and continue cooking on medium heat until it comes to a low simmer. Add the basil salt and pepper.
• Crack each egg onto the top of the stew. Be sure the mixture is at a low boil, then cover and cook until the yolks are hard.
• Serve with a fresh crusty bread.

CHOCOLATE CUCUZZA CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, oil and sugar, creaming until smooth.
• Add eggs, one at a time beating well after each addition.
• Add vanilla and beat well.
• In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and cloves.
• Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternately with buttermilk.
• Stir in shredded cucuzza.
• Pour batter into a greased 13X9-inch baking pan.
• Bake for 45-50 minutes until done. You can test to see if the cake is done by inserting a toothpick near the center of the cake and see if it comes out clean. If it does, it's done.
• Allow cake to cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl, combine all frosting ingredients.
• Spread over warm cake.
• Broil in oven approximately 4-6 inches from the heat for about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to burn, it will broil fast!
• Cool cake completely before serving.
• ~NOTE~ You don't have to peel or seed the cucuzza, just wash the outside skin with warm water and pat dry before shredding.