Best For: Appetizers, Dinner, Sides
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 4 apples, halved lengthwise (we like a firm apple that holds its shape while baking, like Ambrosia, Honeycrisp, or SweeTango®)
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 Tbsp fresh thyme, minced
• 1 Tbsp fresh sage, minced
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 16 oz. ground pork or bulk sausage
• 2 oz. Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• Garnish: honey, fried sage, fresh thyme, parmesan, and/or flaky sea salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400º F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Remove seeds and some of the flesh from the center of the apple, leaving a ½ in. thick apple "shell." Slice a small piece off the rounded side of the apple so it can lay flat. Dice the scooped-out flesh and set aside.
3. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and a pinch of salt. Cook until soft, about 3-5 minutes. Add apples, garlic, sage, thyme, nutmeg, and red pepper flakes. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, then set aside to cool.
4. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground pork, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and the cooled vegetable/apple mixture. Form 8 equal-sized balls and stuff the cored apple halves.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until pork temperature is at least 160º F inside. Garnish with a drizzle of honey, fried sage, fresh thyme, parmesan, and/or flaky sea salt.