Italian Cucuzza Squash Recipes

ITALIAN SQUASH (CUCUZZA) RECIPE - (3.9/5)

Steps:

• 1. Peel the Italian Squash ((cucuzza) and cut into pieces... 2-3 inches (then cut pieces in half). 2. Peel and slice the onion. 3. Peel about 4-5 large Potatoes and cut them in 4-6 pcs... depends on how big they are. 4. Put 1/4 cup of EVOO in the 6 Qt. pot... heat oil for about 1 minute... then... 5. Add the cut potatoes and continue to saute (med heat) (stir every few minutes) for about 10 minutes then. 6. Add the sliced onions to the pot and continue to saute` (med heat) (stir every few minutes) for about 15 minutes. 7. Add the 1/2 cup of Italian Red Sauce and contiune to saute` (stir every few minutes) until the potatoes start to get a little bit soft.... then..... 8. Add the cut Italian Squash (cucuzza) and the 3 1/2 cups of water into the pot. Also add salt & pepper to your taste (stir every few minutes) 9. Cook until potatoes and squash are tender (but not too soft). 10. Serve in a bowl with a loaf of Italian Bread

SPAGHETTI WITH CUCUZZA SQUASH

Steps:

• Slice the amount of garlic cloves you wish to use thinly. Add the garlic to a saute pan that has been heated with the oil and butter in it over medium high heat (*Note: If you're not a big fan of garlic just add 1 whole clove slightly cracked, to the oil and saute it for about 2-3 minutes then remove the garlic from the pan).
• Add the cucuzzi to the pan and mix with the sauteed garlic. Continue to saute the cucuzzi and garlic until the cucuzzi gets colored, always watching that you are not burning the garlic you left in the pan. Cucuzzi can take a lot of color in the pan before it burns, and it gets sweeter as it gets the deeper color.
• Prepare the spaghetti to the "al dente" point and then thoroughly drain it.
• Add all the cucuzzi, oil, butter, and garlic to the spaghetti and toss to thoroughly mix.
• Add the grated cheese to the spaghetti and toss it once more. If the spaghetti mixture seems dry, add a little more butter and/or olive oil to moisten. Hint: You can add more cheese if you like, I do.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste -- Enjoy!

ITALIAN CUCUZZA STEW

Steps:

• Brown the ground beef in a skillet, drain and set aside.
• In a large dutch oven, add the olive oil and sauté the onion, celery, carrot, and garlic for about 4-5 minutes, or until the onions are translucent.
• Add the ground beef to the pot along with the can of whole tomatoes, add the cucuzza, and the rest of the ingredients. Bring to a boil and simmer, uncovered for around 45 minutes or until the squash is cooked.

ITALIAN-STYLE SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Prick squash skin all over. Rub cut sides of the halved garlic over the flesh. Lightly brush each squash half with some olive oil. Place cut side-down in a 3-quart baking dish.
• Bake in the preheated oven until tender, 45 to 60 minutes. Let cool until easily handled. Separate the squash flesh into strands using a fork. Leave strands in the shells.
• Divide mozzarella cheese between the shells. Toss lightly. Press mixture up the sides of the shells.
• Combine remaining olive oil, tomatoes, pine nuts, green onions, basil, and minced garlic in a bowl. Divide tomato mixture between the shells. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top. Return squash halves to the baking dish.
• Continue baking until filling is heated through, about 20 minutes.

ITALIAN SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Pour water in baking dish and place halved squash cut-sides down in the dish.
• Bake squash in preheated oven until a fork pierces the skin very easily, about 45 minutes. Let squash cook while preparing remainder of recipe.
• Melt butter with olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onion in hot butter until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and continue to saute until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Pour diced tomatoes over the onion mixture; season with basil. Place a cover on the skillet, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook at a simmer until the tomatoes are soft, about 30 minutes; season with salt and pepper.
• Once squash is cool enough to handle, use a fork to strip flesh from the skin in strands. Stir squash and Parmesan cheese into tomato mixture. Replace cover on skillet and cook until squash is heated through, 5 to 10 minutes more. Sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese over the dish to serve.