Cornish Hens With Savory-Sweet Stuffing

• 2 (1 1/2- to 1 3/4-lb.) Cornish game hens
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided
• 1 Granny Smith or Golden Delicious apple
• 1 cup butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 cup coarsely chopped fennel, white part only
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1 medium shallot, coarsely chopped
• 1 teaspoon olive oil

1. Rinse hens with cold water; pat dry.
2. Combine 1 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Sprinkle cavities and outside of hens evenly with salt mixture. Set hens aside.
3. Peel apple, and cut into 1-inch cubes.
4. Combine apple, remaining 1/2 tsp. salt, remaining 1/4 tsp. pepper, squash, and next 4 ingredients in a medium bowl, tossing to coat.
5. Stuff hen cavities with apple mixture; place extra mixture in a lightly greased 11- x 7-inch baking dish. Place hens on top of apple mixture; cover tightly with aluminum foil.
6. Bake at 350u0b0 for 45 minutes; remove foil, and bake 45 more minutes or until meat juices run clear and an instant-read thermometer inserted into thigh registers 180u0b0 and internal temperature in center of stuffing registers 190u0b0. Remove from oven; let stand 5 minutes before serving.

cornish game hens, salt, pepper, apple, butternut squash, fennel, cranberries, shallot, olive oil

Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/cornish-hens-with-savory-sweet-stuffing (may not work)