Shepherd's Pie in a Half-Roasted Squash
- 3 tablespoons olive or canola oil
- 1 pound ground lamb
- 5 large russet potatoes
- 8 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 medium red onion, diced
- 2 (16-ounce) cans corn, or the kernels from 6 fresh ears
- 1 large butternut squash
- 4 cups sour cream
- 3 large acorn squash
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Brown gravy, for serving
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a large pan over medium heat, add oil and onion.
- Saute onion until soft, but not brown.
- Add ground lamb to pan and continue cooking for 12 minutes or until cooked through and browned.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- In a separate, small pan over medium low heat add 2 tablespoons butter and corn kernels.
- Cook for 3 minutes and season with salt and pepper.
- Cut butternut squash in half and place skin side down on a baking pan.
- Roast the butternut squash for approximately 40 minutes at 400 degrees F or until very soft.
- When finished, cool slightly and scoop out meat from the skin with a large spoon.
- In a bowl, mash the butternut squash and add 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon brown sugar.
- Season with salt and pepper, place aside.
- Peel potatoes and place in a large pot.
- Add enough cold water to cover potatoes by 1 inch.
- Put pot, covered over high heat and bring to a boil until a thin bladed knife or toothpick can be inserted easily, about 15 minutes.
- Drain and mash potatoes with 4 tablespoons of butter and 1/4 sour cream.
- Season with salt and pepper and put aside.
- Cut acorn squash in half the long way and remove seeds with a spoon.
- Cut a small piece off the back of the squash so it will lay flat on a baking sheet.
- Roast cut side up for 40 minutes at 400 degrees F until soft.
- To assemble, place equal amounts of corn in each acorn squash to form the first layer.
- To create the second and third layers, place a generous amount of ground lamb and butternut squash on top of the corn.
- Top with mashed potatoes using either a spoon or pastry bag and pipe.
- Place filled squash on baking sheet pan and roast in the oven for 20 minutes at 400 degrees F or until potatoes are browned.
- Serve hot with brown gravy.
olive, ground lamb, potatoes, butter, brown sugar, red onion, corn, butternut squash, sour cream, acorn squash, salt, brown gravy
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/shepherds-pie-in-a-half-roasted-squash-recipe.html (may not work)