4 lg. tomatoes
1 lb. Italian hot sausage (casings removed)
1 green pepper, chopped
1 sm. onion
1/2 c. celery, chopped
2 tsp. minced garlic
2 tsp. thyme
Pinch red pepper, optional
1 egg, lightly beaten

Use tomatoes held at room temperature until fully ripe. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut off stems and scoop out pulp set aside. In a large skillet cook sausage until browned, about 3 minutes. Drain excess fat. Put sausage in food processor to chop fine and add to skillet along with pepper and next 5 ingredients. Cook until vegetables are tender. Remove from heat and let cool. Stir in egg and mix well. Spoon meat mixture into tomatoes. Place in a shallow baking dish with 1/2 inch depth of water. Cover and bake until tomatoes are tender; about 30 minutes.