Real Vermont Cooking

Makes 2 Servings INGREDIENTS 2 medium sized merlitons 1/2 pound or 1 cup ground beef 1/2 teaspon salt 1/4 teaspoon cayenne 1 small onion, finely diced 1/2 cup cooked rice 2 tablespoons bread or cracker crumbs Butter Directions: Cut merlitons in half lengthwise; cover with salted water in a pot with a tight fitting lid. Reduce heat to simmer; cook until tender, approximately 30 minutes. Do not overcook. With a teaspoon, discard seed, scoop out pulp and set aside, leaving a 1/4 inch shell. Place shell on a shallow greased baking dish. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook meat and onion with seasoning until tender. Should add water and stir occasionally, brown lightly. Add merliton pulp, cook 10 minutes longer; blend in the rice. Season again to taste. Fill shells with the mixture, sprinkle top with crumbs, dot with butter. Bake 15 or 20 minutes.