Stuffed Tatume Squash
This is a spicy dish that resembles stuffed zucchini, except that you substitute Tatume squash for the zucchini. The subtle difference in flavor between the Tatume squash and zucchini makes for a unique and flavorful twist on stuffed zucchini. Hot chiles add more zip to the dish. A meal in itself!
- Preparation:
- Cooking:
- Total:
- Serves: 6 persons
Ingredients
- 2(2 pound) Tatume squash
- 2tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 1medium onion, finely chopped
- 2cloves garlic, minced
- 1medium jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
- 1serrano pepper, finely chopped
- 2tablespoons dried parsley
- 1teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
- 1teaspoon dried oregano
- ½teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1pound Italian pork sausages, casings removed
- ½pound ground beef
- 1cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- ½cup dry bread crumbs
- 2large eggs
- salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 2medium tomatoes, diced
- 1cup prepared red pepper sauce
- 1cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2tablespoons basil leaves, cut into thin strips
Instructions
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.Step 2
Cut Tatume squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out the flesh in the center, leaving about 1/3 inch of the shell. Dice or chop the flesh in a food processor and transfer to a large bowl.Step 3
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Add jalapeno pepper, serrano pepper, parsley, lemon-pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes; saute for 1 more minute. Add vegetables to diced squash.Step 4
Add pork sausage and ground beef to the hot skillet; cook and stir until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Add meat mixture to the vegetable-squash mixture. Mix in 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, eggs, salt, and pepper until the filling is well combined.Step 5
Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the skillet. Add diced tomatoes and red pepper sauce. Cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and remove from the heat.Step 6
Pour a ladleful of sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Fill one squash shell with the filling, making a large mound on top. Place in the baking dish and repeat with remaining squash and filling. Pour remaining sauce into the dish, and sprinkle the stuffed squash with the remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Cover with aluminum foil.Step 7
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and bake until squash is fork-tender and cheese is lightly browned, about 10 more minutes.Step 8
Garnish with fresh basil and serve.