Some Halloween Cookin'

Spicy Pumpkin Casserole

This dish wormed its way into our Halloween traditions about three years ago. My Mom gave me a strictly pumpkin cookbook and this dinner was our favorite. I urge you to give it a try on Halloween night. That's when we'll be feasting on it in a little bit different form...from inside the pumpkin.

Begin your project with a 2 lb pie pumpkin, top removed, 1 lb cooked ground turkey sausage, 3 cups of cooked, brown rice and 1 cup cheese (I've used all kinds).

Scrape the insides of your pumpkin and reserve the seeds for later roasting. Place pumpkin in a 350' oven, lid on, for 1hr or until soft.

Meanwhile, prepare the bechamel sauce.

The recipe says to stir constantly. They're not telling the truth! I think almost constantly would suffice until it starts to steam and simmer. Then you should stir constantly to prevent lumps.

When the pumpkin is done roasting, scrape the soft flesh into a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Begin your layering and...

Voi La!! Bubbly, cheesy deliciousness!

Spicy Pumpkin Casserole

2 lb pumpkin, washed and seeded

3 cups cooked rice

1 lb ground turkey sausage, browned

1 c Swiss cheese

1T butter

Bechamel Sauce:

2 T butter

2 T all purpose flour

1 ¼ c milk

freshly Ground Black Pepper

Preheat oven to 325’. Bake pumpkin until soft, about 1hr. Meanwhile, prepare the Bechamel sauce. Melt the butter in a small saucepan, add the flour and cook for 2-3 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Lower the heat and simmer gently for about 10 minutes, then season with salt and pepper to taste.

When Pumpkin is done, scoop out the flesh, mash slightly and season with salt and pepper to taste. Arrange alternating layers of rice, sausage, pumpkin and béchamel sauce until your dish is full. Sprinkle the top with cheese, dot with butter and cook in a 425’ oven for about 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown.

In actuality, our favorite way to eat this dish is inside the pumpkin itself. Instead of scraping out the pumpkin after its cooked, take it out of the oven when its still a little bit firm. Layer your rice, then sauce, then sausage and cheese inside the pumpkin, flesh intact. Repeat. Then serve the pumpkin whole, in the center of the table and scoop out bits of cooked pumpkin with each serving. It makes the perfect Halloween night dinner!

Finally...Fathers Day

Good Morning Daddy!  Good Morning with waffles, good morning with sausage, good morning with OJ.  (Joey will love me for posting his morning face!)  We were on the road on the "real" Fathers Day so we saved our celebrating for today.  Joey and I celebrate most of our special days with yummy food...no gifts.  This Fathers Day was no exception.  

I didn't get pictures of Dinner but as with any meal requested by Joey, there was steak (ribeye), and some more interchangeable sides...green fries, blueberry spinach salad, homemade bread and then delicious "Mom's Brownies" for dessert.  Actually Joey is calling me name to watch "Like Water For Chocolate" and eat those yummy brownies right now....we all know I don't keep a brownie waiting!  Happy Late Fathers Day to all the Fathers in our lives!