APPLE FILLED SQUASH HALVES

Steps:

• 1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees.
• 2. Cut each of the squash in half and remove the seeds and fibers.
• 3. Place the squash, cut sides down, in an ungreased baking pan.
• 4. Then add water to the depth of 1/4-inch and bake, uncovered, until the squash is tender, about 30 to 40 minutes.
• 5. While the squash is baking, cook and stir the meat in a large skillet until it is brown.
• 6. Drain off the excess fat.
• 7. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the 1 1/2 teaspoon of salt as well as the cinnamon, the coarsely chopped tart apples and the raisins.
• 8. When the squash is cooked, turn them so that the cut side is up and remove them to a platter.
• 9. Drain off any remaining liquid in the pan and dry.
• 10. Scoop out the pulp from the acorn squash, making a shell that is 1/4-inch thick all the way around.
• 11. Season the shells with salt to taste.
• 12. Mash the pulp and mix in the meat mixture.
• 13. Return to the shells, piling them full and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of brown sugar on each.
• 14. Drizzle with the melted butter.
• 15. Bake uncovered until the apple is tender, about 20 to 30 minutes.
• 16. Serve hot.
• 17. NOTE: You can substitute a combination of 1/2 pound lean ground beef and 1/2 pound of bulk pork sausage for the 1 pound of lean ground beef.