Chef John's Stuffed Summer Squash

Vegetable Side Dish - Side Dish

I always smile when I hear chefs say you should never cover-up or overpower the natural flavors of the main ingredient. Sometimes you should, and this Merguez sausage and goat cheese stuffed summer squash recipe is a perfect example.

Brief

Prep 15 mins

Cook: 40 mins

Total: 55 mins

Servings: 5

Yield: 5 servings

Chef John's Stuffed Summer Squash

Ingredients

2 teaspoons olive oil

divided

4 ounces Merguez sausage

casing removed

½ cup diced red bell pepper

2 ounces fresh goat cheese

crumbled

5 small round summer squashes

halved

salt and pepper to taste

1 tablespoon dry bread crumbs

or more as needed

2 teaspoons olive oil

Side Dish

Directions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly coat it with 1 teaspoon olive oil.

Step 2

Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a nonstick pan over medium heat. Stir in sausage and red bell pepper. Cook stirring to break up sausage into small pieces until sausage is browned and bell pepper is soft and sweet 7 to 8 minutes. Drain off any fat.

Step 3

Stir goat cheese and sausage mixture in a bowl until well combined. Set aside.

Step 4

Hollow out a 3/4-inch deep well in the center of each squash half. Place each piece on the prepared baking sheet cut-side up. Season with salt and black pepper; fill each with 1 to 2 tablespoons cheese and sausage mixture. Top each squash with breadcrumbs and lightly drizzle with remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until filling is golden and squash is tender about 30 minutes.

Nutritional Information

Chef John's Stuffed Summer Squash

Servings Per Recipe:5

Calories: 148

% Daily Value *

Protein: 8.1g 16%

Carbohydrates: 6.1g 2%

Dietary Fiber: 1.7g 7%

Sugars: 3.6g

Fat: 10.6g 16%

Saturated Fat: 4.2g 21%

Cholesterol: 24.1mg 8%

Vitamin A Iu: 889.5IU 18%

Niacin Equivalents: 2.7mg 21%

Vitamin B6: 0.3mg 21%

Vitamin C: 39.9mg 67%

Folate: 46mcg 12%

Calcium: 58.5mg 6%

Iron: 1mg 6%

Magnesium: 29.5mg 11%

Potassium: 415.5mg 12%

Sodium: 83.8mg 3%

Thiamin: 0.1mg 10%

Calories From Fat: 95.3

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Nutrition information is provided for reference only. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.