Jumbo Stuffed Shells with Portuguese Sausage, 'Ulu & Spinach

Description

Chef Michi created this recipe for a catering client who wanted to emphasize local flavors for guests from the mainland.  As a chef, she’s trying more and more to incorporate ‘Ulu (breadfruit) as this locally grown produce can help us be more food self-sufficient as an island state.  The combination of sausage and ‘ulu was magical.

1 hr
5 to 6 servings

Ingredients

10 oz
Portuguese sausage (process until crumbly or mince by hand)
2 cup
'ulu (cooked & mashed)
1 cup
cottage cheese (processed to a smooth paste)
4 cup
fresh spinach (roughly chopped)
1/2 cup
grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for garnish)
garlic salt (to taste)
fresh ground black pepper (to taste)
1 cup
shredded cheese
cooking spray
16 oz
prepared marinara sauce
16 to 20
jumbo pasta shells (cooked per package directions)
dried or fresh parsley (for garnish)
Prep Time:
35 min
Cooking Time:
25 min
Total Time:
1 hr

Instructions

In a medium size bowl, combine the Portuguese sausage, ulu, processed cottage cheese, chopped spinach, Parmesan cheese, garlic salt, pepper and shredded cheese, fold together until the ingredients are well mixed (don’t overmix).

Preheat your oven to 350°. Spray a medium sized rimmed baking dish with cooking spray then drizzle half of the prepared marinara sauce onto the bottom of the dish. Stuff each shell with about a golf ball size portion of the sausage mixture and place the shells in rows, with the shells just touching. When all the shells are stuffed, drizzle the rest of the marinara over them, dust with Parmesan cheese and parsley. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, take off the foil and bake for another five minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for five minutes before serving. Enjoy with a side of salad and warm bread for a complete meal.