Day 10 - January 13, 2014: Baked Acorn Squash

I just returned from a weekend away.  It was nice to not have to cook for 3 days, but it definitely created a hole in my otherwise so nicely laid out food budget for this month ;o)

I still had 1 pound of Italian sausage from Thursday's dinner left, so I used that and couscous to stuff some acorn squash. 

Ingredients:
3 Acorn squash @ 69 cents each: $2.07 (I made an extra one for my husband's lunch on Tuesday)
1 pound ground Italian sausage: $1.99
3 green onions: $0.25
1 cup of couscous: $0.50
fresh grated parmesan: $0.20?
Total: $5.01

I was short on time tonight, so I microwaved the squash for 3 minutes first.  Then, I cut the squash in half, scooped out the seeds and baked it at 400 degrees F for 40 minutes (upside down in a little water).  Since the sausage was already browned, it just needed to be warmed up and mixed with the couscous, prepared according to package directions (yes, with the 2 tablespoons of butter, because fat tastes good...).
I mixed the sausage and the couscous and filled my acorn squash halves, added a sprinkle of sliced green onion and grated parmesan on top.

Verdict: Yummy!  I added spice to mine (Have you ever heard of "Slap ya mama"? - It's from New Orleans and my friend Maria suggested it to me.  It goes on everything that needs a little kick).  The kids ate a healthy portion each.  I wanted to serve a green salad on the side (since I found organic greens at Aldi today for $1.19), but didn't have to time to make one.  Oh well.  Tomorrow.  Maybe.