RICOTTA STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

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Ricotta Stuffed Acorn Squash image

From "The Fitness Kitchen" by Shelley Sinton. It is described as "Baked squash filled with creamy, honey-kissed ricotta and toasted nuts becomes comfort food on a cold, blustery day. Savor every spoonful as a midday meal or as a warm end to a long afternoon. Not only is winter squash tender and delicious, it's chock-full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Tastes good and it's good for you. Add a cup of cooked chicken or turkey to the ricotta for extra protein. For variety, substitute tofu and toasted walnuts for the ricotta and hazelnuts."

Provided by Oolala

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 45m

Yield 2 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 (1 1/2 lb) acorn squash
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon cardamom
1 pinch salt
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 cup hazelnuts, chopped, toasted
2 tablespoons wheat germ, honey toasted
black pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • With sharp knife, carefully cut squash in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds with a spoon.
  • Rub flesh with olive oil and sprinkle with the cinnamon, cloves, ginger, cardamom and salt.
  • Wrap each half in foil and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes or until flesh is fork tender. Remove from oven and unwrap squash.
  • To toast nuts, place in an ungreased pie tin and bake at 400 degrees for 5-7 minutes.
  • Mix ricotta with honey, oregano, and hazelnuts.
  • Evenly fill the baked squash halves with the ricotta mixture.
  • If you want the ricotta to be warm, return to oven, on baking sheet, for 5-10 minutes. Remove from oven.
  • Sprinkle with wheatgerm and black pepper and serve. Note, squash can be cooked a day in advance and reheated with the ricotta mixture at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 495.1, Fat 23.4, SaturatedFat 7.3, Cholesterol 38.1, Sodium 243.8, Carbohydrate 58.3, Fiber 8.4, Sugar 9.8, Protein 21.1

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