Rigatoni con Zucca e Salsiccia with Butternut Squash and Sausage

This is a recipe from Southern Italy...this recipe is rustic and hearty..It is mild in flavor, you taste all the goodness of the squash and the smokieness of the sausage and ham..so very simple and easy to throw together...you can prep the ingredients ahead of time and your dinner will go together very quickly...

Rigatoni con Zucca e Salsiccia with Butternut Squash and Sausage

I tablespoon olive oil
2 ounces ham cut in small cubes
1/2 pound of sweet italian sausage, with casings removed
1/2 cup onion chopped finely
1 large clove of garlic minced finely
1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 pounds butternut squash, pumpkin or calabaza, cut
            in 1/2 inch cubes
1 pound of rigatoni pasta
1/4 cup parsley

here is all the ingredients prepped an ready to roll...

start with the olive oil in the large skillet over medium heat and add the ham and italian sausage and brown for 4 minutes....then...

add the onion and garlic and saute for another 5 minutes until the onion is...

soft and done....then add the....

squash, rosemary and red pepper flakes and also 1 tsp salt...

cover with water just to the top of the squash...bring to a boil and simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes

start cooking the rigatoni now...it takes a while to cook the pasta...

when the squash is soft stir breaking up some, leaving some bigger chunks ..

it makes a real nice sauce...add your cooked noodles and chopped fresh parsley

serve with grated Parmesan on top

makes enough for 6 hungry people.....

Cheers to Happy  !!