Dinner in a Pumpkin

Ingredients: 

• 1 medium sugar pumpkin (or 4 small pumpkins)
• 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 cups tomato juice
• 3 cups shredded cabbage
• 1/2 pound fresh green beans, washed and trimmed
• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 1/2 bay leave (optional) 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Wash pumpkin, cut off top, scrape out seeds and discard.
3. Place hamburger in a large, deep skillet. Crumble and cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain fat, add onion and garlic; saute slightly.
4. Add sugar, Italian herbs, salt, pepper, tomato juice and rice; mix thoroughly.
5. Layer inside of pumpkin with 1/3 of cabbage, green beans and beef and rice mixture. Repeat layers, replace lid and bake in roasting pan for 2 to 3 hours.

http://m.allrecipes.com/recipe/13771/recipedinner-in-a-pumpkin-i