Butternut Squash and Sage Sausage Sandwich

My butternut squash and sage sausage (open) sandwich recipe makes use of a number of my very favourite ingredients. Now the rain has begun to roll in once more it seems appropriate to bring an element of comfort to lunchtime. This certainly is a hug on a slice.

When considering frugality, it is important to treat meat as something special; it should be showcased. Frugal this blog may be, but bad quality meat should be avoided at all costs. Instead, purchase the cheaper cuts of relatively expensive meat and prepare them in an economical way. Indeed, I’m always keen to stress the difference between ‘cheap’ and ‘frugal’; the latter can and does welcome the use of well-sourced ingredients. Remember, one sausage can go an awfully long way.

Sage and butternut squash are one of those perfect food combinations that are best revisited more than a few times each year. A very comforting pairing, sage and squash come into their own as the calendar moves swiftly into autumn and winter. The best way to convey their relationship in this recipe is to use a sage flavoured sausage. However, a little fresh sage incorporated into the smashed squash also works nicely.

Butternut Squash and Sage Sausage Sandwich

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 300g butternut squash, cubed

• 2-3 spring onions

• ½ tsp chilli flakes

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 2 good-quality sage pork sausages

• 2 slices of white farmhouse or sourdough bread

• Salt and pepper

Method:

1. Rub the cubes of squash with 1 tbsp of the olive oil, sprinkle with salt and roast in the oven at 180C for 30 minutes until brown. Once cooked mash the squash together and mix in the remaining oil, chilli and spring onions – season well.

2. Meanwhile, fry your sausages until cooked through. Spoon the squash mixture onto your bread, sprinkle with pepper. Halve the sausage and place on top, along with a sage garnish.

Cost: Butternut squash is always cheap – you can often find them for as little as £1 each. Good quality sausages are a little dearer, though when used so sparingly they more than make up for their relative expense. Indeed, this lunchtime treat for two should set you back no more than around £2.50.