Recipe(tried): Meatloaf Stuffed Banana Squash, Mashed Taters and Cream Gravy

Earlier this week I returned home to find that one of my neighbors had left part of an IMMENSE banana squash in my refrigerator. I just purchased a large-style toaster oven in an attempt to keep the heat out of the kitchen for these last few weeks of triple digit heat, so I decided to put both the squash and toaster oven to work on dinner.

MEATLOAF STUFFED BANANA SQUASH

1 meal-sized portion of cleaned banana squash, unpeeled (preferably donated by a green-thumbed neighbor!)
1 link sweet Italian turkey sausage
1/2 lb lean ground beef
1/2 lb lean ground turkey breast
1 large left over hamburger bun or bread in an equal amount, torn up
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 a bell pepper, any color, chopped
8-10 mushrooms, chopped
egg substitute equal to 1-2 eggs, or 1-2 eggs
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1/4 cup catsup
dash Worcherstershire sauce
couple dashes hot pepper sauce
dash salt
generous grind of fresh pepper

I used a 7 1/2" x 10" x 3" deep glass baking dish.I cut a couple of thick squash slices to fit into it, (I had to trim some off so it fit into the oven height-wise!I mean, this was a HUGE squash!) This created a concave area to stuff. What I ended up with was a baking dish lined with squash with squash curving up on the sides. Mix remaining ingredients together & pile into squash, roughly forming a meatloaf shape. Spread top with additional catsup, pour about 1 inch of water into the bottom of the baking dish around the squash(this helps speed the baking of the squash). Bake at 400 for 1 1/2 hours or until squash is tender. Serve with mashed taters and "cream" gravy.

"CREAM" Gravy

For me, gravy only works when I WHISK CONSTANTLY, as follows:
3-4 Tablespoons butter or margarine
1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup 99% fat -free chicken broth
3/4 cup evaporated skim milk
LOTS & LOTS of freshly ground pepper

Make a roux by melting butter & whisking in the flour. Let bubble a bit while whisking constantly. While still whisking constantly slowly add the chicken broth. Whisk until smooth. Slowly add evaporated milk, still whisking constantly. Cook, SILL whisking constantly until mixture bubbles. Cook over very low heat a few minutes whisking constantly so flour will cook and lose the "uncooked flour taste". Remove from heat and whisk in lots of freshly ground pepper. Serve immediately.