I feel like I’ve hit the jackpot with recipes lately.

It seems like everything I’m making is just the best recipe ever. A lot of the recipes have been referred to me by friends, which certainly helps. I love love love when readers send me their favourite recipes. I cannot wait to try them and I keep a list on my phone of all the recipes I want to make, particularly if a friend has told me to try it, and especially if it’s a friend’s family recipe that’s been passed down for generations. Those are the best.

That’s why my mother’s bridal shower gift to me (well, one of them – there were three!) was so incredibly special. She bought beautiful coloured recipe cards and hand-wrote all our family’s traditional, tried and true recipes out so I could start my own collection. I loved it. The best part was that on the pack of each recipe card, she wrote a story about the recipe – where it came from, how it became a family favourite, and a special memory or two. I will cherish these cards, especially since my mother’s favourite thing she inherited from her late mother is her recipe cards in her handwriting. Sometimes I feel like there’s nothing more intimate or familiar than the handwriting of a loved one.

In related news, I need a recipe box to house all these cards. Any suggestions? I’ve had my eye on this one for some time.

Today’s recipe was sent to me by a church friend. She saw my obsession with spaghetti squash (update: I am still obsessed) and sent along her family’s favourite recipe. I made it a little while ago and completely fell in love. So easy, so customizable and so delicious. An instant classic in our house!

My favourite part about this recipe is that you can add whatever veggie you want. I really like zucchini in it, but it’s totally up to you! The sausage is they key ingredient.

Thanks, Debbie, for sending me such an awesome recipe!