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1
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. While its preheating, prepare the squash: cut it in half and scoop out the seeds and as much pulp as you can. Season the cavity in both halves lightly with salt and pepper. Place the squash halves on a baking sheet, cut side down, and put in the oven to roast while you prepare the stuffing (about 20 minutes).
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2
Cut bread slices into 3/4 inch cubes and toast until the edges are brown and crisp. (You can toast the bread in the oven with the squash for about 8-10 minutes, or before the squash, or in the pan with the bacon fat after you crisp the bacon). Let cool.
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3
Cook the bacon in a frying pan until crisp. Remove from pan and drain. Pour of most of the fat from the pan, leaving about a tablespoon.
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4
Add the butter to the pan and when it's melted, add leeks, thyme and red chile flakes. Cook until leeks are softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes more. Remove from heat.
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5
By this time, your squash should have been roasting for about 20 minutes. Remove from oven, leaving the oven on, and let cool slightly while you mix the filling.
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6
In a medium bowl, toss the toasted bread, bacon, and leek-garlic mixture together. Add the cheese, pour over the cream and a pinch of black pepper and toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning.
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7
Turn the squash halves over to cut side up, being careful not to burn yourself (you can use a couple of forks or tongs for this). If the cavities are not very large, you can scoop out some more flesh if you like, it will be more tender and easier to do. But do leave some flesh in, you want to taste the squash and filling together. Spoon the filling into each half, pressing down to get as much filling in as you can.
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8
Cover squash halves loosely with foil, return to oven and bake 10 minutes. Remove foil and bake 5 minutes more, until filling starts to brown on top. Snack on any leftover filling while you wait.
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9
Remove from oven and serve hot. This is a pretty filling dish, depending on your appetite you can share one half, wrap the other half tightly in foil and store in the fridge. Reheat it, still wrapped in foil, the next day.
