1 medium sized Butternut Squash
1/2 lb. sausage meat (remove casings if applicable)
1/2 medium sized onion, chopped
1 lg. clove garlic, chopped or pressed
1/2 lg. apple (golden delicious or other), grated
1/2 small red bell pepper, chopped (or jarred roasted red pepper)
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp maple syrup
1/2 c medium sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 tbsp fresh herb of choice (optional)

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Cut squash in half length-wise, remove seeds, place cut side down in baking dish with small amount of water and cook for approx. 40 minutes or until soft to touch.

Meanwhile, put sausage in medium skillet with onion and garlic. Cook over medium heat, breaking up sausage as it cooks. When about half done, add apple. Continue cooking until sausage is cooked through. Remove to large bowl. When squash is done cooking, remove from dish, cut side up. Drain remaining water from dish and wipe it dry.

Scoop out flesh, leaving about 1/4" on skins (keep skins intact), and add flesh to sausage mixture in bowl. To this add red pepper, butter, syrup, cheese and herbs. Fold the squash flesh in with the sausage mixture and other ingredients until everything is well incorporated then spoon back into the squash skins. Lightly oil baking dish and put filled squash skins in dish, bake for 15 minutes.

If desired, put under broiler briefly when done to lightly brown tops. Enjoy!

Submitted by: Sandra Morren