Mirliton and Hot Sausage Casserole

• 6 mirlitons, about 3 3/4 pounds
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 pound hot Italian sausage, removed from the casings and broken into bite-size pieces
• 3 cups finely chopped yellow onions
• 1 cup finely chopped bell pepper
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons Essence, recipe follows
• 2 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons freshly minced thyme leaves
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup freshly chopped green onions
• 1/4 cup freshly minced parsley leaves
• 1 tablespoon freshly minced basil leaves
• 2 cups cubed day-old French bread
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken stock, if needed
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup cubed mozzarella
• 1/2 cup cubed fontina or Swiss
• 3 tablespoons finely grated Pecorino Romano
• 3 tablespoons dry bread crumbs
• 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme

1. Place the mirlitons in a large pot and cover with water by 1-inch.
2. Bring to a boil and cook until a knife can be inserted easily, about 45 minutes.
3. Drain in a colander and cool.
4. When cool enough to handle, halve the mirlitons, peel, remove the seeds and cut the flesh into 1/2-inch cubes.
5. While mirlitons are cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with 1 1/2 tablespoons of the olive oil.
6. Add the sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until well-browned, about 6 minutes.
7. Remove the sausage using a slotted spoon and set aside.
8. Remove all but about 2 tablespoons of the drippings from the pan.
9. To the remaining drippings in the pan, add the onions, bell peppers, garlic, Essence, salt, and thyme and cook until the vegetables are very soft, give off their liquid and begin to caramelize, 8 to 10 minutes.
10. Add the cubed mirlitons, season with black pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until they give off any excess liquid and soften, 12 to 15 minutes.
11. Transfer to a large bowl and cool slightly before adding the reserved sausage, butter, green onions, parsley, basil, bread cubes, heavy cream, chicken stock, if needed, eggs, mozzarella and fontina.
12. Stir well to combine.
13. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
14. Lightly grease a 3 quart casserole dish (or a 9 by 13-inch casserole dish).
15. Transfer the mirliton mixture to the casserole and sprinkle the top with the grated Pecorino Romano and the bread crumbs.
16. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil, then bake until golden brown, 45 to 50 minutes.
17. Remove from the oven and serve.
18. Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
19. Yield: 2/3 cup

mirlitons, olive oil, italian sausage, yellow onions, bell pepper, garlic, salt, thyme, freshly ground black pepper, unsalted butter, freshly chopped, freshly minced, basil, bread, heavy cream, chicken stock, eggs, mozzarella, romano, bread crumbs, paprika, salt, garlic, black pepper, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, thyme

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/mirliton-and-hot-sausage-casserole-recipe.html (may not work)