It is decidedly so

Most people focus on one thing when watching Everyday Italian, but Saturday Kris' roommate Frankie and I were distracted by actual food. We scheduled this easy dish for Monday's bad reality television night. The three 8-ball squash I bought at the market made a perfect side dish for Giada's Whole Grain Spaghetti with Pecorino, Prosciutto and Pepper. The pasta was easy and while described as a "fall" dish on the Pasta for all seasons episode, worked out alright for summer. Use a little less cheese than called for and a nice olive oil is a must.


Stuffed 8-Ball Squash

3 eight-ball squash/zucchini
2 medium portabella mushrooms, gills removed, medium dice
2 tomatoes, seeded & diced
1 clove garlic thinly sliced (I used a green garlic bulb)
1 teaspoon oregano
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons Pecorino Romano
Salt & Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350. Boil a pan of salted water (use for pasta afterward!). Barely trim both ends of squash (stem & bottom) so they'll sit easily in the pan. Cut in half (at the equator) and scoop out flesh with a spoon leaving 1/4 inch shell, taking care not to pierce bottom. Toss shells into boiling water for 1 - 2 minutes to soften squash shell, then remove and drain well. Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a skillet over medium heat. Dice remaining squash pulp and add to skillet with mushrooms, tomatoes, garlic, oregano, and s&p. Saute 2 - 3 minutes or until mushrooms have released juices. Drain mixture well* and spoon into squash shells**. Put shells in greased baking dish and sprinkle cheese & breadcrumbs evenly on top. If you're into heart health, drizzle olive oil atop. If you're into flavor, put a pat of butter on top of each one and then drizzle the olive oil. Bake for 15 minutes or so, then eat them up.

*skipping this step will guarantee lots of juices running all over your plate, perfect for sopping up with a crusty bread (preferably from red hen bakery).
**There will be extra filling. Please toss this over pasta for leftovers or eat it out of the pan with a spoon while watching the Colbert Report.