A homey, rustic winter dish.

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Wash:

Cut a slice from the tops. With a spoon or melon baller, scoop out the cores and pulp, leaving ¾-inch-thick shells. Cut the pulp away from the core and seeds, chop it, and combine in a bowl with:

Put the apple shells in a baking dish. If desired, sprinkle with:

Fill the shells heaping full with the sausage mixture. Bake, uncovered, until the apples are tender when pierced with a fork but still hold their shape and the sausage is cooked, 30 to 40 minutes.