Best Gingery Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipes

STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F
• Cut a thin slice off the bottom of each squash to create a flat edge, so the squash can stand up (don't cut too much or it will leave a hole). Cut stems off the tops if they protrude. Now cut each squash horizontally in half. Scoop out the membranes and seeds inside of the squash & discard. (*photos are in post above)
• Place the squash on a rimmed baking sheet, cut-side up. Brush the inside with olive oil and sprinkle with salt & pepper. (*Optional: lightly brush with maple syrup to add a subtle sweetness) Roast the squash for about 35-45 minutes, or until tender (test with a fork).
• Add the quinoa and broth to a medium pot. Bring to a boil and then turn heat down to maintain a low simmer. Cover with lid and cook until liquid is gone and quinoa is fluffy. This usually takes about 15-20 minutes to cook. Remove from heat and fluff with fork. Set aside.
• In a large pan, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion, celery, apples until softened. About 5-6 minutes
• Add the mushrooms, cranberries, garlic, sage, thyme, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Sauté about 7-9 minutes, or until mushrooms and cranberries are tender (if food sticks to the pan, you can splash a little vegetable broth or white wine to deglaze).
• Remove from heat and add the cooked quinoa. Combine well and taste for seasoning, add more as needed.
• When the squash is ready, fill with the stuffing mixture. (*optional: drizzle/spritz top of stuffing with oil for a crispier top). Place in oven and bake 10-15 minutes, until the quinoa is lightly browned & crispy.

QUINOA STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Cut the bottoms of each squash to prevent rolling when served. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly coat with cooking spray. Bake squash, flesh side down for 30-40 minutes or until they are easily pierced with a fork.
• Meanwhile, make the filling by heating olive oil in a medium skillet. Add shallot, saute for 2-3 minutes and then add green bell pepper until soft. Lastly, add mushrooms, white wine, and rosemary. Continue to cook until liquid has reduced significantly. Take off the stove and add spinach, toss until wilted. Transfer all to cooked quinoa, also adding cooked chicken sausage, pine nuts, and dried cranberries.
• When the acorn squash is done, flip over and spoon quinoa mixture evenly into each. Top with crumbled feta cheese and pumpkin/squash seeds. Serve hot and enjoy!
• If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was!

QUINOA-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place acorn squash cut-side down in a baking pan.
• Bake acorn squash in the preheated oven until tender when pierced with a fork, 30 to 40 minutes. Flip to face up and cool until easily handled.
• Bring water and quinoa to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Stir in prunes, raisins, apricots, garlic, and ginger. Cook until prunes, raisins, and apricots plump up and quinoa is tender, about 5 minutes.
• Drizzle olive oil over quinoa mixture and add salt; mix well.
• Scoop flesh of the acorn squash from the shells; cut into cubes and toss gently with quinoa mixture. Stuff empty shells with mixture. Sprinkle pecans on top.

QUINOA-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Cut the squash in half lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds. Brush the cut side of each squash with 1/2 teaspoon honey; place squash, cut side down, onto the baking sheet, and bake for 40 minutes, or until tender.
• Meanwhile, put the quinoa and 1 c water into a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and cover; cook until all the water is absorbed, about 10 to 15 minutes.
• In a dry medium-size skillet, toast the nuts over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, three to five minutes. Allow them to cool, then chop them.
• Heat the oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, and cook until is softened and beginning to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, and cook for 30 seconds more. Stir in the cumin, cinnamon and ginger. Remove the skillet from the heat, and stir in the lemon juice.
• Add the onion mixture to the cooked quinoa, stirring until well combined. Stir in the almonds, apricots, parsley and mint; season with salt and pepper. To serve, place a squash half on a serving plate then fill each piece of squash with one quarter of the quinoa mixture. Drizzle each with 1 teaspoon of honey, and serve.