• 4 small acorn or sweet dumpling squashes
  • 4 ounces sweet Italian sausage
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1/3 cup chopped celery
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked Lundbergq rice
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 ounce Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 ounce Swiss cheese, shredded

Well hello and happy December. Here in Milwaukee it certainly did not feel like the start to December with weather in the 60s over the weekend. I could certainly get used to that! As I mentioned, today begins the start of my 12 Days of Christmas giveaway! I’ve got some very exciting recipes and giveaways in store for you over the next 3 weeks so be sure to check back daily. I also have a very exciting giveaway on the 12th day that requires you to comment on at least 5 other recipes during this feature, so don’t miss your chance!

Today’s post features delicious rice from Lundberg Family Farms.  They offer a great variety of rices to choose from and today I’m using their Wild Blend® to create this delicious stuffed squash from Cooking Light.  Be sure to read through this entire post for your chance to win a great gift set!

Start by preheating the oven to 425°. Place the whole squashes into a roasting pan and place in the oven for around 30 minutes. Once you remove them from the oven, allow them to sit for 15 minutes before cutting them in half and scooping out the seeds. Preheat your broiler to high.

Heat a skillet over medium heat and add in the Italian sausage and cook until no longer pink. Drain and wipe the pan clean. Swirl the pan with olive oil and saute the onions for around 3 minutes, then add in the celery and cook for an additional 4 minutes. Add in the garlic and stir well. Stir in the sausage, rice and the next 5 ingredients, through the Parmesan.  Divide the mixture evenly amongst the squash halves and sprinkle evenly with the Swiss cheese. Place in the broiler for 4-5 minutes until the cheese melts.

squash
rice

And now for the giveaway! Here’s your chance to win an assortment of rices from Lundberg Family Farms and a beautiful baking dish from Le Creuset!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

sausage and rice squash