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Here is a great alternaternative to yams for Thanksgiving!

Granny’s Baked Squash
( aka Aunt Fanny’s Baked Squash)

3 lbs. butternut or banana squash
½ cup chopped onions
½ cup cracker or bread crumbs
2 eggs
1 stick of butter
2 Tbs. brown sugar
1 Tsp salt
½ Tsp. pepper
Pre-heat oven to 350*

Wash, peel and cut up squash. Boil until tender, drain thoroughly, then mash

Add all ingredients, except for ½ of the butter and cracker crumbs. Mix well. Pour the mixture into baking dish. Melt remaining butter and spread on the top. Sprinkle with crumbs.
Bake at 350 for approximately 45 minutes

I am blessed to still be cooking in the kitchen with my mom! Mama started me cooking when I was in high school, as she was often at work when I came home from school. She would leave me instructions on what to begin preparing for our evening meals. Early on I learned to respect the hot stove and sharp knives. If you cook, you know the drill.

I am grateful she gave such great guidance, inspiration, and a flair for entertaining, because cooking has become one of my passions. Actually, the kitchen is one of my favorite places in our home.

Over the years Granny has always sought out new treats for her family. This recipe is one of our favorites that we make when Gina comes home. Enjoy the Spaghetti Pie with a light salad, and/or a warm loaf of crusty bread dipped in garlic oil.

GRANNY’S SPAGHETTI PIE!

(THIS IS AN AMAZING DISH FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES!)

INGREDIENTS

• 12 OZ. SPAGHETTI, COOKED, DRAINED
• 1 LB. GROUND BEEF, COOKED, DRAINED ( TOFU,CHICKEN OR TURKEY CAN BE USED))
• 4  CUPS MARINARAI SAUCE (EITHER HOMEMADE OF PAUL NEUMAN’S)
• ½ CUP GRATED PARMSEAN CHEESE
• 1 EGG LIGHTLY BEATEN ( OR 2 EGG WHITES)
• 1 PKG (8 OZ.) SHREDED MOZZARELLA CHEESE
• 2 TABLESPOONS OLIVE OIL
• 1  CLOVE OF GARLIC
• OIL SPRAY

PREPARATION

• HEAT WATER FOR SPAGHETTI, ADD SALT TO THE WATER, BRING TO FULL BOIL
• PREHEAT OVEN TO 350 DEGREES
• WHILE WATER IS BOILING BROWN MEAT IN 2 TB OLIVE OIL AND GARLIC
• ADD SAUCE AND HEAT THROUGH
• WHEN WATER COMES TO A FULL BOIL ADD SPAGETTI, MAKE SURE TO COOK IT ALDENTE
• COOL SPAGHETTI WITH COOL WATER UNTIL PASTA IS WARM SO YOU DON’T COOK THE EGG
• TOSS COOKED SPAGHETTI, PARMESIAN, BUTTER AND EGGS AND EGG
• SPEAD SPAGETTI MIXTURE IN BAKING PLATE IN THE WAY YOUR FORM A CRUST FOR PIE DOUGH ( MAKE SURE YOU OIL THE PAN)
• SPREAD MEAT SAUCE OVER SPAGHETTI
• ADD MOZZARELLA
• BAKE AT 350 DEGREES FOR UP TO 30 MINUTES (WATCH THAT IT DOES NOT GET TOO BROWN, BUT THE EDGES ARE CRISP)
• HEAT REMAINING SAUCE
• LET PIE SIT FOR 5 MINUTES PRIOR TO CUTTING

SERVING

• PLACE SAUCE ON PLATE
• PUT A PIECE OF PIE ON THE SAUCE
• ENJOY