The Bounty: Be Sure to Snag This 8-Ball

The Bounty: 8-Ball Squash

Despite its rather blue-collar name, the 8-ball squash is a something of a elusive, gourmet vegetable. New to the vegetable world and specially designed with the presentation in mind, the rollie-pollie produce can do anything a regular summer squash can do, and in some cases, it can do it better: its round shape makes this the ideal stuffing vessel.

As rich source of manganese, summer squash like the 8-ball have been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Magnesium and potassium in the vegetable help to reduce high blood pressure, and antioxidants like vitamin C and beta-carotene fight atherosclerosis through the prevention of cholesterol oxidation. Fiber, folate and riboflavin round out this 8-ball’s nutritional accomplishments.

The Banquet: Stuffed 8-Balls

Serves 8

8 (eight) 8-ball squash

1 large bunch fresh spinach, chopped

5 tablespoons butter, separated into 3 and 2 tablespoons

2 tablespoons olive oil

½ crimini mushroom, washed and dried and chopped

1 bunch green onion, finely chopped

¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

1 tablespoon dried dill

1 cup cooked brown rice

sea salt and black pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Trim the stem and flower off each squash, then slice in half lengthways. Using a teaspoon, gently scoop out the flesh and seeds until you have a hollow bowl about a ½ inch thick. Sprinkle a pinch of salt in each bowl, set aside.

In a skillet, melt 3 tablespoons butter and sauté the spinach until soft. Set aside. Heat the remaining butter and olive oil in the skillet and add the mushrooms and onion until well browned. Mix the mushroom mixture with the dill, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes and rice. Season to taste.

Scoop the stuffing into each squash bowl until packed down and well piled. Place squash on a oiled sheet pan stuffing side up and roast in the oven 20 to 30 minutes until stuffing is browned and squash is tender-firm. Enjoy!

Note: You can easily add ground lamb or sausage to this dish if you’d like to beef it up a bit!