Pic of Courgette-wrapped lamb sausages with tomato, basil and olive sauce

Courgette-wrapped lamb sausages with tomato, basil and olive sauce

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Meat mains

Courgette-wrapped lamb sausages with tomato, basil and olive sauce

Main Serves 4 1h 15 min
This is a lovely, succulent flavourful dish of spiced lamb mince wrapped in courgette strip, baked and served with a rich tomato sauce. You could also use aubergine instead of courgette. Eat this with couscous mixed with a squeeze of lemon juice, and a little lemon zest, olive oil, salt and pepper.

Ingredients

for the tomato sauce

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 400g chopped tomatoes (or use deseeded fresh ones)
  • 1 tsp caster sugar
  • a few olives, sliced
  • a few basil leaves, shredded

for the sausages

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, chopped
  • 450g minced lamb
  • ½ tsp dried chilli flakes
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 2-3 courgettes, thinly sliced lengthways
  • a few fresh oregano or thyme leaves
  • olive oil, for drizzling
  • salt and pepper

Method

Prep time: 15 min
Cooking time: 1h

To make the tomato sauce

  • Step 1

    heat the oil in a saucepan, add the onion and fry gently for a few minutes, until just softened. Add the garlic and cook for another couple of minutes.

  • Step 2

    Add the tomatoes and sugar and season well. Simmer for 30-45 minutes. Stir in the olives and basil at the very end.

Make the sausages

  • Step 1

    while the tomato sauce is cooking. Heat the oil in a small pan and fry the onion until just softened. Add the garlic and fry for another minute or two. Remove from the heat and place in a food processor with the lamb, chilli and cumin. Season and blitz to combine.

  • Step 2

    Shape the mixture into small sausage shapes (the mixture should make 12). Wrap each sausage in a strip of courgette (or two, if the courgettes are small) and secure with a cocktail stick.

  • Step 3

    Preheat oven to 180°C/Gas 4. Place the sausages in a baking dish, sprinkle over a few oregano or thyme leaves and drizzle with a little olive oil. Bake in the oven for about 30-40 minutes, until cooked through and just starting to brown. Serve with the tomato sauce.