Italian Cucuzza Squash Stew

This Italian Cucuzza Squash Stew is a recipe handed down to me from my Italian father and the Italian cucuzza squash I used came straight from his home garden.

Except he didn't tell me he was giving me squash or even Italian squash, but "cucuzza", which is the official name of the variety.

I had no idea what he was talking about but he explained that it's an Italian version of squash and he had his "official" cucuzza recipe he wanted me to make.

He actually gave me the recipe three times verbally before I finally wrote it down.

It wasn't until I started making it that I realized it was similar to my Eggplant Onion and Tomato Stew recipe I always make.

But this one was a little different because it used the Italian Squash (aka "cucuzza") instead of eggplant.

I had never heard of this particular variety before, but it is very similar to regular yellow squash.

Let me tell you though, it is HUGE!

If you look at the photo below with my son holding it, it was so big that it actually broke into two pieces, but that was the entire squash!

I've also added another cucuzza recipe my father gave me called "Spicy Italian Cucuzza Squash Bake", but that one is vegetarian.  You could try to substitute with vegan cheese to make it vegan.

This is a quick, one skillet meal ready in less than 30 minutes, is perfect for Meatless Monday and is vegan, gluten-free and paleo too.

Want more healthy meal and entree recipes?  Check out Vegan Stuffed Pepper Soup, Spaghetti Squash with Creamy Lemon Garlic Sauce, Kelp Noodles with Spicy Peanut Sauce or my Clean Eating Cookbook with an entire chapter of 20 healthy, clean eating meal and entree recipes just like this one that you will love!

 

5 Fast Facts About Squash:*

• excellent source of vitamin C, magnesium and vitamin A
• full of antioxidants
• high fiber content
• contains 135 mg of beta-carotene
• contains 2,400 mg of lutein for eye health

5 Fast Facts About Tomatoes:*

• contains lycopenes which are cancer fighting agents
• high in beta-carotene
• excellent anti-oxidant
• high in vitamin A and K
• high in chromium which helps control blood sugar levels

5 Fast Facts About Onions:*

• rich source of sulfur compounds
• excellent for cardiovascular health
• inhibits bone loss in women
• reduced blood pressure
• lowers blood cholesterol levels

5 Fast Facts About Extra-Virgin Olive Oil:*

• lowers blood cholesterol levels
• rich in anti-oxidants
• improves bone mineralization and calcification
• excellent protection from heart attack and stroke
• contains anti-inflammatory benefits

5 Fast Facts About Garlic:*

• regulates blood sugar levels
• lowers high blood pressure
• contains anti-bacterial and analgesic properties
• anti-viral
• helps to lower cholesterol levels

5 Fast Facts About Himalayan Pink Salt:*

• contains 84 minerals
• unrefined, unprocessed, raw
• promotes stable pH balance in cells
• controls water levels in the body
• aids digestion and facilitates better nutrient absorption

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

 

 

 

Tip #1:  Although this dish was created using Italian Squash (aka "cucuzza"), you could also use regular zucchini or even yellow summer squash if you can't find the other variety.

Tip #2:  It is really good by itself, or can be served over pasta (my dad says angel hair pasta is the best!), quinoa, rice or even spaghetti squash.

Tip #3:  The original recipe he gave me had Italian Sausage added to it (which I omitted to make it vegan), but you could always add vegan sausage or regular Italian Sausage if you didn't need it to be vegan (see update below).

Tip #4:  I used 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes and it's pretty spicy and my boys said it was "too hot", so if you are feeding it to little ones or don't like spicy foods, you may want to reduce or eliminate the red pepper flakes.

Tip #5:  This recipe will make approximately (4) servings.

 

 

~UDPATE~  Ok, since I had the HUGE cucuzza, I made another batch of it, but this time I used vegan sausage and oh my, it was on another whole level of deliciousness!  I usually don't buy vegan sausages because they are processed (and not gluten-free) but my dad insisted the recipe isn't the same without sausage.  So I used the vegan "Field Roast Italian Sausages" (I bought them at Whole Foods) and not only did it give the dish extra flavor, but even gave the sauce a little different consistency.  Here's some tips of what I did with this batch:

Tip #1:  I used (2) links of vegan "Field Roast Italian Sausages" and added them in the same step as the tomatoes and tomato sauce.  If you didn't need the recipe to be vegan, you could use regular Italian sausage, although I don't know the preparation steps to cook it.  I would think you would need to cook it first, separately, then add it at the same time as I did the vegan sausage.

Tip #2:  In this batch, I used (3) cups of peeled/diced cucuzza instead of (2) in the original recipe.

Tip #3:  I used the original amount of red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon, but it was "too hot" for my boys so if you are feeding it to little ones or don't like spicy foods, you may want to reduce or eliminate the red pepper flakes.

Tip #4:  This version will make approximately (4) servings.

 

 

 

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