I was passing through Massachusetts after an odd adventure in Vermont and decided to visit Lenox. The Frelinghuysen Morris House and Studio had been on my bucket list ever since I’d seen a documentary about Mary Frelinghuysen Morris’s work. I was particularly drawn to her landscapes, which seemed to capture the essence of the Berkshires. I imagined myself wandering through her studio, surrounded by her paintings, feeling a connection to her creative spirit.
As I often do, I purchased a paper map from a gas station after heading vaguely south from Lebanon (the one in Vermont – I think this would be clear from context but I did want to clarify I was not so lost as to have ended up in West Asia). I had a general idea of where I was going, but somehow, I still managed to get lost. I drove around for what felt like hours. Eventually, I stumbled upon a small town sign that read “Stockbridge.” I had no idea where I was, but I knew it wasn’t Lenox.
Disappointed, but determined, I decided to make the best of the situation. I pulled over and consulted my map again. I noticed a nearby museum dedicated to Norman Rockwell. While I wasn’t particularly interested in Rockwell’s work, I figured it was worth checking out.
As I walked through the museum, I was struck by the familiar scenes depicted in Rockwell’s paintings. There was the boy with the broken arm, the family gathered around the Thanksgiving table, and the four freedoms. I found myself smiling at the warmth and nostalgia that his art evoked.
Then I came across a series of paintings about people in a diner. They were all dressed in their Sunday best, sitting at a table filled with food, but none of them seemed particularly hungry. It was an odd juxtaposition, and I couldn’t help but find it amusing. I was hungry, and I wasn’t in diner.
As I stood there hungrily pondering my emotions, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to find a man standing behind me. “That’s a strange series, isn’t it?” he asked.
His name was Phil, and he told me that he was a local. We started talking, and he told me all about the history of Stockbridge. He also told me that butternut squash was invented nearby. I wasn’t sure how squash could be invented, but I took his word for it.
Phil invited me to dinner with his family. They made a delicious casserole made with butternut squash, walnuts, sausage, and wild rice. It was the best meal I had ever had.
I have made that casserole many times since, and I enjoy it every time. I often wonder if Phil is still out there, hungry and looking at art. I hope he gets some lunch soon.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Wild Rice
- 1 pound ground sausage
- 1 Butternut Squash, or 2 if they are little guys
- 1 Onion
- 4 sprigs fresh Thyme
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cut walnuts, whole or pieces
- Olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- Cook the rice according to package directions.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil.
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground sausage and sauté until browned. Drain the grease and set aside.
- In the same skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the diced squash, onions, salt, and pepper. Sauté until the onion begins to soften, about 3 minutes.
- Cover and cook the squash mixture, stirring occasionally, until the squash is tender, about 6-8 minutes.
- Stir in the thyme, cranberries, sausage, rice, and half of the Parmesan cheese.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 5 additional minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
- Serve warm.
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