Halloween is back at Camberwell Fresh Food Market, and this recipe is the perfect way to bring the celebrations home. These ghoulish stuffed capsicums are carved like little jack-o’-lanterns and baked with a filling of spaghetti and savoury mince in rich tomato sauce. Once they’re cooked, the pasta spills out of the carved mouths for a spooky, crowd-pleasing effect.
Why not try them after joining in the Halloween fun at the Market?
Ingredients
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4 large orange capsicums
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250g spaghetti (or other long pasta)
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300g beef or chicken mince
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2 tbsp olive oil
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1 onion, finely chopped
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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1 can crushed tomatoes
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2 tbsp tomato paste
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1 tsp dried oregano
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1 tsp smoked paprika
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Salt & pepper, to taste
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Fresh basil, to serve
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Grated cheese (optional)
Method
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Slice the tops off the capsicums and scoop out seeds. Carve little faces for the jack-o’-lantern look.
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Cook spaghetti according to packet directions. Drain and set aside.
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Heat oil in a pan, sauté onion and garlic until soft. Add mince and cook until browned.
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Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano and paprika. Simmer for 10 minutes until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
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Toss the cooked spaghetti through the mince sauce until well coated.
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Fill each capsicum with the spaghetti mixture, letting some spill out of the carved mouths for a spooky effect.
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Top with cheese if using and bake at 180°C for 20–25 minutes until the capsicums are tender.
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Serve hot with fresh basil.
Shop the ingredients at the Market
Capsicums & basil – Camberwell Fruit Emporium
Beef mince – Commercial Butchers
Chicken mince – Camberwell Market Poultry or Golden Rooster Poultry
Cheese & pantry items – Nick & Sue’s Gourmet Deli