Thursday, February 18, 2010

A Simple Southern Side to Invoke Summer

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I’m cold.

And I’m not usually one of those Cold People. You know the Cold People? They bring heaters to the office? They wear cardigans in the middle of summer? They monkey around with the thermostat when you’re not looking? They bring afghans to church?

Not me!

Except this winter. This winter, I’ve morphed into one of the Cold People. But I think that has something to do with the fact that North Carolina has apparently turned into a polar outpost.

We’ve been much cooler here than Vancouver, site of the Winter Olympics. I’ve had to root around in old cedar chests for wool clothing that I’d put away ages ago and forgotten about.

You’ve heard of rain dances, right? Well, I’m going to try to invoke warmer temperatures by cooking something that makes me feel like summer is here. Squash!

Squash is summer to me. It’s cheerfully yellow. It’s grown in numerous backyards during the summer. And it’s even sometimes called ‘summer squash.’

Baked Stuffed Squash

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This is so easy, y’all! Really, it’s a fun-looking, colorful dish that looks like you’ve spent longer on it than you did. Here’s what you do:

Baked Stuffed Squash

4 large squash (you could do this with zucchini, too.)
Frozen mixed vegetables (10 oz.)
2 cups herb-seasoned bread stuffing
1 cup fresh, chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup sharp, grated cheese
1 clove crushed garlic
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 and set some salted water to boil. Wash squash, then cut in half (lengthwise). Place the halves in the boiling water for 5 minutes. Drain. Scrape out seeds and pulp from the squash. Season with salt and pepper.

Cook the mixed vegetables, according to the package instructions. Add the garlic and salt and pepper to taste. Drain any excess water after cooking. Add the chopped tomatoes and the stuffing to the mixture. Mix well, then spoon the mixture into the squash and sprinkle the grated cheese on top. Serves 8.

Riley/Elizabeth
Pretty is as Pretty Dies –Elizabeth Spann Craig
Delicious and Suspicious (Summer 2010) Riley Adams

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15 comments:

  1. This sounds and looks delicious! I'm so ready for spring and fresh veggies!

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  2. Oh, I'm one of those cold people and this year I've become a frozen people. I'm so ready for summer and squash is summer. I've never tried Baked Stuffed Squash. I've tried fried, stewed and as a casserole. This will be a great addition to my squash recipes. Thanks for this warming recipe.

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  3. Please bring summer on. Maybe those lovely squash will do the trick.

    On a whim, we decided to leave the NC mountains for the winter and go to sunny south Florida. It's been unseasonably cold here too, but nothing like the rest of the country.

    They say the Farmer's Almanac predicted a harsh winter. I think I'll be reading their predictions from now on and use it as a travel guide.

    Stay warm.
    Sam

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  4. I'm a Cold Person in the summer, Elizabeth. But during winter here in the Chicago area I've gotten to the cold. It just *is* and hitting the mid 30s as we have is starting to make me believe spring is just around the corner. For big jaunts out, I still don my down jacket, but for little outside stuff - a sweatshirt is good enough ;-)

    This recipe looks fabulous. I really can't wait to try it. Next trip to the grocery store, I'm getting summer squash!

    Julie

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  5. Shel--Me too! Hope you enjoy it.

    Mason--Hope you like it stuffed! You know how it is in the summer...we end up with so MUCH squash that we have to think of new and exciting ways to cook it! :)

    Sam--I keep hearing about what a great job the Farmer's Almanac does with long-term predictions. I might have to join you with a subscription! Florida sounds a lot toastier. I think you were right to ditch the NC mountains. They got 6-8 more inches just on Monday! Those poor folks. And the kids have missed something like 21 days of school up there. I'm wondering how they're going to make it all up there.

    Julie--I can't even *fathom* how cold Chicago must be! Wow. Like you, I'm not crazy about coats. If I wear them, I lose them when I shed them wherever I am indoors. I've lost more jackets that way! Think I'll just keep to a sweatshirt, too. Hope you'll enjoy the squash!

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  6. Elizabeth, I love squash, and like you, I'm so ready for spring to come! I'm trying to eat more veggies, too, so this is perfect!

    ~ Krista

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  7. Polar outpost. You poor thing. I knew there was a reason I moved back to California. Hang in there! I adore zucchini and all forms of squash. What fun.

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  8. Beautiful post! Spring cannot come fast enough for me -- and all those lovely garden veggies. Oh, I do love squash and this recipe is a must make.

    Stay warm :)

    ~Cleo

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  9. I agree... i have become one of those whinny cold people myself... Kansas generally gets cold and then a few days in the 50's... we've been under 40 (and usually much colder) every day since Christmas

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  10. It's been cold in Texas, too, but not as cold as other places. I'm not a huge squash fan, but this looks good. I'll give it a try. Thanks. And stay warm.

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  11. Krista--I'm trying to work in more fruits and veggies, too. I think if they look pretty on a plate then I'm more likely to eat them. :)

    Avery--And if it starts getting cold where YOU are, then we're all in trouble!

    Cleo--We can pretend! I'm ready for backyard veggies, too.

    A Year on the Grill--Under 40? That's crazy. Maybe we'll get things warmed up soon. It can't go on forever...can it?

    Carol--Thanks! You stay warm, too. :)

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  12. I hope the squash works for you! Actually, up north we've been kind of chuckling about all the winter weather you southerners have been getting. You got our weather!

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  13. This is why I live in AZ. I am one of those
    cold people! LOL! I'm in a turtleneck at
    71 degress -- no, not kidding.

    LOVE this recipe. I was just hankering for
    squash the other day -- this is perfect!

    Jenn

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  14. A baking rite to evoke summer. I like it.

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