Stuffed Pattypan Squash Recipe

Pattypan squash is usually found as a small vegetable that looks a bit like a spinning top or flying saucer.

I have seen it in yellow most commonly, but also green or white.

They are often found in late summer.

I have usually seem them as quite small but you can find larger patty pan squash. The larger ones are obviously easier to stuff.

This recipe is made for the larger squash.

You obviously wouldn't get much from stuffing four tiny squash, but if you are using the smaller patty pans, you can still use this recipe. It will just be fussier to scoop them out and stuff them because they are small. You will also need many more squash than just four. I would estimate about 12.

You can also use this stuffing to stuff pretty much any type of squash.

Butternut squash would taste great baked with this stuffing in it, as well as pepper squash or most other varieties you will find in your market.

You can easily make this into a vegetarian recipe by replacing the chicken broth with vegetable broth.

It makes a fantastic vegetable side dish recipe or a main course to a light vegetarian meal paired with a salad.

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 50 minutes

4 medium pattypan squash
1 cup chopped fresh mushrooms
1/4 cup chopped green onion
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 1/2 cups cooked rice
2 tablespoons chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon butter
paprika

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Remove a slice from the stem end of the squash. Scoop out the pulp, leaving a 1/4 inch shell around outside. Repeat the procedure with the remaining squash.

Chop up the squash pulp that you have scooped out. Sauté the mushrooms, green onions and squash pulp in 1/4 cup of butter in a large skillet, for 8 minutes. Add the cooked rice and the broth. Add pepper to season to your taste. Mix it all together well.

Place the squash shells in an baking dish. Spoon the rice mixture into the shells. Dot with the remaining butter. Pour water 1/2 inch deep into the baking dish. Cover and bake at 350°F for 50 minutes or until tender. Sprinkle with paprika to serve.

Makes 4 servings.

• If you are using a larger squash, like a butternut squash or larger pepper squash, you will need to cut it in half first before scooping out the seeds and stuffing it.
• Replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth to make this a vegetarian recipe.