Instructions: Cut off the button or upper portion of turban which is the blossom end; set aside. Scoop out seeds and discard. Sprinkle salt in cavity. Place squash cut side down in pan of water. Bake in 350 F oven until tender, 45 to 50 minutes.

Meanwhile, saute sausage until no longer pink; drain fat. Add green onions, celery, mushrooms and parsley. Saute for 5 minutes until meat is lightly browned. Add rice or bread crumbs.

Combine egg, sour cream, salt, pepper and sage; add to sausage mixture and mix well. Invert squash in the same pan with water and fill cavity with stuffing. Garnish with Parmesan cheese. Return to oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 350 F.

COOKNOTES: Although an ornamental squash and a member of the gourd family, turban squash is also edible. A bright red-orange fruit with a protruding "button" at the blossom end, it has stripes of varied, rich colors of orange and some shades of green. It has a flat, squat look, with creamy yellow-orange flesh. It is great for stuffing.

To Prepare: Remove button end; scrape out seeds. Cut in pieces, peel and they are ready for steaming, broiling or baking. They can be seasoned and used the same as any other winter squash.

For Stuffing: Georgia finds it best to take medium-sized turban, about 6 to 8 inches across, place them in a large pot with water and boil for about 20 to 30 minutes. Then remove from pot, cut off button end and scrape out seeds.

Make your favorite meat, rice or vegetable stuffing. Fill cavity with stuffing and place button end back on top. Place in a baking pan or on a cookie sheet and bake in 350F oven until meat is done and squash is fork tender when pricked from inside. The outside skin is hard. It usually takes 1 to 2 hours to bake, depending on the size of the squash.

1985)"

NOTES :
This recipe was modified to reduce saturated fat and cholesterol: From 1/2 pound each lean pork sausage and lean ground beef to all turkey sausage; the rice was doubled; fat-free dairy instead of full fat.

with turkey sausage - I see this as a buffet item; cut into wedges.

If you would like to email yourself the recipe for later use, or share the recipe with your friends or family, enter the email addresses below and this recipe will be emailed to you and others as well.