STUFFED SQUASH

Stuffed Squash image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Number Of Ingredients 16

6 medium round summer squash (about 2 3/4 pounds)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup finely chopped onions
2 cloves garlic, minced
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 pound ground lamb
1/3 cup dry red wine
1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons pine nuts, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons currants
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (about 1 ounce)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint
1 1/2 cups Fresh Tomato Sauce Fresh Tomato Sauce for Stuffed Squash

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Have ready a 1 1/2-quart baking dish. Slice off 1 inch crosswise from stem end of each squash; set aside. Using a melon baller, remove the flesh from squash, bottoms and tops, leaving 1/8-inch-thick shells. Coarsely chop the flesh; set aside. Place the squash bottoms and tops in a steamer, and steam until just tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from steamer; set on a wire rack, cut side down.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over high heat. Add onions, garlic, and reserved chopped squash. Season with salt and pepper, and cook until tender, about 6 minutes. Remove from pan, and transfer to a medium bowl.
Make the filling: Return skillet to heat; add lamb, and cook, breaking up the meat with the back of a wooden spoon, until crumbly and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in wine, and cook until all the liquid is absorbed, about 1 minute. Transfer meat to the squash mixture, and add breadcrumbs, pine nuts, currants, feta, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, mint, and 3 tablespoons tomato sauce. Stir well to combine.
Stuff the squash to the rims with the meat mixture. Place the squash tops on top. Pour the remaining tomato sauce into the baking dish, and place the stuffed squash in the sauce. Bake until the squash are tender, about 30 minutes. Divide the sauce among the plates, place the squash on top, and serve.