Xmas Starter Idea - Sweet and Savory Sausage-Stuffed Squash

Ingredients

• 1 large or 2 small acorn squashes

• 1 lb breakfast sausage

• 1 small apple, peeled and diced

• 1 c. sweet onion, diced

• 2 tbsp. butter

• splash of orange juice

• 1 tbsp maple syrup

• 1/2 tsp. fresh chopped rosemary

Instructions

1. In a saucepan, melt the butter and add in onions, apples, splash of OJ, maple syrup and rosemary.

2. Cook on low until the onions are translucent and slightly brown and the apples soft.

3. While this is cooking, cut the acorn squash in half, scoop out seeds, and cook. You can either cook in microwave (in plastic wrap) for 5-6 minutes until soft or bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Remove and let cool.

4. Add the breakfast sausage to the saucepan with the onions and cook thoroughly, breaking up into smaller pieces.

5. When the squash is cool enough to handle, scoop out 2-3 tablespoons of squash from each half, leaving 1/4-1/2 inch around the edge of the squash. (This is mostly for aesthetic purposes but I also love scooping out extra squash later.)

6. Add the scooped-out squash, and the onion mixture to a large bowl and mix thoroughly.

7. Add mixture back into squash and place in an oven-safe dish.

8. Cook 5 minutes on 375 simply to reheat.