Summery Stuffed Squash Food

SUMMERY STUFFED SQUASH

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Halve the squash and scoop out the seeds. Put in a microwaveable bowl, cover and microwave on High for 20 mins until softening. Scoop out the flesh with a spoon, reserving the skin, and mix with the remaining ingredients. Spoon back into the skin and transfer to a baking tray. Cook for a further 10-15 mins until tender and the cheese has melted.

CHEESY STUFFED SUMMER SQUASH

Steps:

• Boil the squash 10 minutes until softened.
• When cooled enough to handle, remove the stems and cut in half lengthwise.
• Remove the pulp.
• Cook the bacon until crisp.
• Saute the onion in 2T bacon drippings.
• Add crumbled bacon, breadcrumbs and squash pulp.
• Fill the squash shells.
• Top each shell with cheese.
• Broil until melted.
• Sprinkle with paprika.

STUFFED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Cook the pearl barley following pack instructions, crumbling the stock cube into the boiling water for extra flavour. Drain and set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, toast the pine nuts and almonds in a dry pan until nutty brown. Tip into a bowl and set aside. Use the same pan to toast the fennel and coriander seeds for a couple of mins, until aromatic. Grind the spices using a pestle and mortar.
• Cut the squash in half lengthways through the centre. Scoop out and discard the seeds and any fibrous bits. Keep scraping to carve out a channel down the centre of both squash halves for stuffing, you may need to score the flesh with a knife first if your squash is very firm. The squash shell should be about 1.5cm thick all over when you've finished. Roughly chop any squash you remove and set aside. Score the flesh of the 2 squash halves in a criss-cross pattern, trying not to pierce the skin, rub with 1 tbsp oil and season well.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Heat the remaining 2 tbsp oil in a pan and cook the onion, chopped squash and leek for 8-10 mins until soft. Stir in the garlic and cook for another min. Add the pearl barley, nuts, spices, feta, herbs, dried fruit and lemon zest. Season well and cook for a min or 2 more, then pack the filling into the cavities in the 2 squash halves, keep any leftover stuffing. Tie the halves back together with kitchen string, as you would a joint of meat. The squash will shrink a little as it cooks, so make sure you make the knots nice and tight. Rub the outside with a little more oil and season well. Alternatively, wrap well in foil.
• Place in a roasting tin lined with some foil or parchment and cook for 1 hr. Check if the squash is cooked by inserting a knife, it should go in with little resistance and the flesh should feel soft. Scatter any remaining stuffing around the squashetta and return to the oven for another 5 mins to warm through. Mix the tahini, lemon juice, honey and a drizzle of water to make a dressing. Carve the squash into slices and serve drizzled with the tahini sauce and scattered with parsley.

STUFFED SUMMER SQUASH

Steps:

• Depending on size of squash, allow 1/2 per person.
• Parboil whole squash in salted water until tender.
• Remove, slice in half lengthwise.
• Scoop out center of squash and place in bowl an equal amount of finely diced yellow cheese.
• Add a little cream or milk, salt & pepper lightly, and return to squash shell.
• Top with fine bread crumbs, dot with butter, and bake until cheese is melted.

RICE STUFFED SUNBURST / PATTY PAN SUMMER SQUASH

Steps:

• Use a saute pan (with a lid) that will fit your 4 whole squash evenly. Add about 3 inches of water, lightly salt it and bring to a boil. Make sure your squash sit nice and flat -- cut off a bit on the bottom if need be, just not too much or you'll go through.
• Place your squash in the boiling water, cover and allow it to cook for about 10 minutes, until just fork tender. While the squash cooks, chop up your other ingredients.
• Once the squash is done, remove them gently and set them aside. Drain the water and clean out your pan.
• Returning the pan to the stove, heat the 1 tbsp of olive oil over medium heat. Add in the onion and cook for about 5-7 minutes, until translucent. Add in the garlic and cook for just a few minutes, watching it doesn't burn.
• Add in the raw rice and stir to coat. Add in the broth and bring to a boil. Depending on your broth, you may want to season with salt and pepper. Once at a boil, reduce the heat and cover. Cook for 45 minutes - at which time the rice should be cooked and liquid fully absorbed. (Depending on your rice, you may need slightly longer).
• While the rice cooks, cut the tops off of the squash (just below the green part). You want enough of a opening to work with, without wasting too much of the squash. Next, scoop out some of the insides being careful not to break through the sides or bottom. I like to score a circle using a paring knife and then scoop out with a regular teaspoon. It's basically the seedy part you want to remove, you don't have to take much from around the sides. You can chop up parts of what you scoop out and add it into the rice mixture. Set your squash aside again.
• Preheat your oven to 375. Have a baking dish ready (lightly oiled, or foil if you prefer).
• When the rice is done, take it off the heat and add in the 1/2 cup of parmesan, the fresh basil and spinach. Mix.
• Time to assemble. Using the 1 tsp of olive oil, lightly brush the outsides of the squash. Next, stuff the rice mixture into the hollow -- you can pack quite a bit in there, and have a bit overflowing on top. Place into the baking dish and finish by sprinkling the 1 tbsp of parmesan over top.
• Bake for 20 minutes.