Stuffed Goo-Gootz
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Depending on the size, these goo-gootz can be served as a meal-size portion or as a side dish.
Recipe by:
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 4 large cucuzza squash
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ cup diced yellow onion
  • ½ cup diced celery
  • ½ cup diced bell pepper
  • ½ cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • ½ cup diced tasso or smoked ham
  • 1 pound fresh (uncooked) pork sausage or ground pork
  • 6 cups cooked Louisiana long-grain white rice, such as Supreme
  • ½ cup chicken stock
  • 1 tablespoon Acadiana Table Cajun Seasoning Blend, [url:1]see recipe here[/url
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ cup chopped pecans
  • ½ cup diced green onion tops
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
  2. Wash the squash and using a sharp knife, slice the top one-third of the squash lengthwise revealing the inside. Remove any visible seeds and brush with olive oil. Place the squash on a foil-lined baking tray and cover with foil. Place in the hot oven for 30 minutes, or until it begins to soften. Once the squash is tender, remove from the oven and using a small spoon, scoop out the inner meat of the squash leaving a cavity for stuffing. Chop the scooped-out squash into small chunks and reserve for later use. Place the whole squash cavities back onto the baking sheet and reserve for later stuffing.
  3. In a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid over medium heat, bring the oil to temperature and add the onions. Once the onions become translucent, add the reserved squash, celery, bell pepper, parsley, and garlic, and stir for 3 minutes. Add the tasso and pork sausage and continue stirring until it just begins to brown, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add the cooked rice along with the chicken stock and stir to incorporate all. Add the seasoning and salt and pepper to taste. Lower the heat to a simmer, cover the skillet and continue cooking for another 5 minutes as the mixture steams. Uncover and add the pecans and onion tops. Stir to combine.
  5. Spoon the stuffing mixture into the squash cavities and cover. Bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 20 minutes until the tops begin to brown. Serve with hot French bread.
Notes
Buy the fresh bulk sausage, but if you buy the fresh sausage in links simply slice open and remove the sausage from the casing. For stuffing, do not peel the squash and remember not to scoop the cavity too deep and tear the exterior of the squash.
Recipe by Acadiana Table at https://www.acadianatable.com/2024/01/22/stuffed-goo-gootz/