NORMA'S STUFFED MAPLE/SAUSAGE ACORN SQUASH FOR TWO

Steps:

• 1. Preheat your oven at 350.
• 2. Wash and cut in half one acorn squash and trim bottoms so they will sit flat.
• 3. Scoop out seeds and discard or toast them as you would pumpkin seeds and serve them with a side salad.
• 4. Place acorn sqush halves on a sheet pan or in a shallow pan and salt and pepper to taste and pour 1/2 cup water into pan.
• 5. Place a tablespoon of pure maple syrup into squash cavity and brush around top of squash with a pastry brush and set aside.
• 6. Mix your stuffing mix as directed on side of the box and set aside.
• 7. Place a non-stick pan on medium heat and add 1/2 pound of sausage and cook until browned.
• 8. Add onion, stir and cook until onions are clear.
• 9. Mix sausage and onion into prepared stuffing mix along with two tablespoons of pure maple syrup and mix well.
• 10. Place a heaping amount of sausage/stuffing mix into each squach cavity until it is filled.
• 11. Place squash in hot oven and bake for 45 minutes, or until squash is tender when pierced with a fork.
• 12. Half way into baking; when the stuffing was turning brown I covered the squash with a foil tent to prevent the stuffing mix from becoming too brown and to help tenderize the squash.
• 13. Uncover the squash and test the squash for tenderness.
• 14. Remove from oven and serve as a one dish meal or add your favorite salad along with the toasted squash seeds.
• 15. NOTE: When making only for two you will have leftover stuffing. I plan on stuffing two green peppers tomorrow with it for dinner.
• 16. * For large or thick squash I place them cut side down on a pan with sides, add water and place in the oven to bake while I'm making the stuffing. I found that some times this is needed to soften the squash or it takes longer for them to bake after filling them. MMMMMM they are sooooo good!