Thanksgiving is getting shut and I’ve had a lot enjoyable sharing some model new, festive recipes, plus outdated favorites like this one from again in 2017.
To me, Thanksgiving is about pairing your Grandmother’s traditional recipes with new recipes that allow you to create your individual traditions. Since coming into Tony’s household, I’ve launched each my home made naturally sweetened cranberry sauce and wholesome candy potato casserole to the desk and now every year we’re certain to not miss it.
This unbelievable cranberry pecan quinoa stuffed acorn squash recipe specifically is impressed by my love affair with acorn squash. I’ve been obsessive about it since my mother and I began cooking it throughout school. In the event you’ve by no means had acorn squash earlier than, then get excited as a result of it may be each savory and candy and an exquisite introductory squash. It’s tender and filled with smoooooooth flava. Principally the Beyonce of all squash…in my view anyway.
At this time’s recipe was one which I made up on a whim 6 years in the past and it turned out to be some of the artistic meals I’ve made in a while. I’m tremendous excited so that you can strive it!
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How one can lower acorn squash
To chop your acorn squash, you’ll want a pointy chef’s knife and a sturdy slicing board. To chop your acorn squash in half:
- Minimize off the top of the acorn squash with the stem on it. You actually don’t want to chop a lot off, however most likely 1/4 inch.
- Stand your acorn squash vertically on the top that you simply simply lower off. This offers a steady base so that you can make a lower with out slicing your fingers or hand. Make a vertical lower down the center of the acorn squash.
- Lastly, scoop out the seeds. Now you’ve efficiently lower your acorn squash in half!
Every thing you’ll have to make this quinoa stuffed acorn squash
We’re packing every acorn squash half with lovely, candy and savory flavors from orange-infused quinoa, toasted pecans, cranberries, goat cheese, and extra. Right here’s what you’ll want:
- Acorn squash: the one and solely! In the event you haven’t tried making this sort of squash earlier than be ready to fall in love.
- Coconut oil: you’ll want somewhat coconut oil for each the squash and the quinoa to provide them the correct amount of moisture and fats.
- Brown sugar: we’re sweetening the acorn squash halves with brown sugar! You may also use coconut sugar.
- Orange juice: oh yeah, we’re stirring freshly squeezed OJ proper into the quinoa and into the sauce for a stunning citrus-infused taste.
- Spices: you’ll want some cinnamon and salt for the squash, plus floor turmeric, salt, and pepper for the quinoa.
- Toppings: I LOVE the additional taste and texture that dried cranberries and toasted pecans add to each chew.
- For the sauce: as a result of sauce = life, we’re drizzling the squash halves with a stunning sauce produced from goat cheese, orange juice and zest, and somewhat salt and pepper. It’s SO GOOD.
- To garnish: take the stuffed acorn squash to the subsequent degree with recent thyme and a drizzle of honey (or scorching honey!)
Customise your stuffed acorn squash
I’ve a number of straightforward methods to make this vegetarian stuffed acorn squash your individual:
- Select your grain. Not into quinoa? I feel pearl couscous could be scrumptious in right here!
- Go nut free. You’ll be able to simply swap the coconut oil for butter and easily omit the pecans.
- Decide your cheese. I’ve tried this recipe with each goat cheese and feta crumbles they usually’re each scrumptious! In the event you like a tangy sauce, go for goat cheese, and for those who like saltier flavors, use feta cheese.
How do you make stuffed acorn squash?
- Prep the squash. Begin by slicing your acorn squash in accordance with the instructions above in order that they’re halved and seedless. Add coconut oil, brown sugar (or coconut sugar) and cinnamon to the flesh of the acorn squash and bake till tender.
- Cook dinner the quinoa. Whereas the acorn squash roasts to candy perfection, you’ll cook dinner your quinoa and infuse it with orange juice and spices. Discover ways to cook dinner good quinoa right here! Then stir within the cranberries.
- Stuff the squash. Add the quinoa to your acorn squash halves, prime with pecans, and bake once more for a couple of minutes.
- Make the sauce. Whereas the squash bakes once more, make the goat cheese or feta crumble by mixing all the components collectively till it’s creamy.
- Prime & devour. Drizzle the sauce everywhere in the prime of the roasted squash, and garnish with thyme leaves and a drizzle of honey (or scorching honey) for those who’d like. Season with additional salt and pepper to style and revel in!
Make it forward of time
Save time over the vacations and begin prepping the squash early! Listed here are a number of steps you are able to do forward of time:
- Prep the squash by halving it and scooping the seeds out. Retailer the halves in an hermetic container within the fridge till you’re able to make the complete recipe.
- Cook dinner the quinoa, let it cool, and retailer it within the fridge.
- Make the recipe up till you bake the squash for the second time (i.e. roast the squash, cook dinner the quinoa, and stuff the squash halves). Then cowl the squash and retailer it within the fridge. Whenever you’re able to get pleasure from, merely warmth it up within the oven and prime with the sauce and garnishes!
- Lastly, someday forward of time you can also make the complete recipe minus the sauce and garnishes. Retailer the squash within the fridge, then as soon as able to serve, merely reheat it within the oven at 350 levels for 15-20 minutes or till heat. Then make the sauce, drizzle it on prime, and add the garnishes.
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In the event you make this cranberry pecan quinoa stuffed acorn squash recipe, please fee it beneath and go away a remark. You may also snap a photograph and tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram! xo.
Cranberry Pecan Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash
Lovely stuffed acorn squash with orange-infused quinoa, candy dried cranberries, pecans, and a easy goat cheese or feta sauce. The right vegetarian aspect dish or fundamental to serve at Thanksgiving, or anytime you are searching for a singular, scrumptious meatless meal!
Elements
- For the acorn squash:
- 2 medium acorn squash, lower in half and seeds eliminated
- 4 teaspoons virgin melted coconut oil (or sub melted butter)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- cinnamon, for sprinkling
- For the quinoa:
- ½ cup raw quinoa
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon virgin coconut oil
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- ¼ teaspoon floor turmeric
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup toasted pecan halves, chopped
- For the sauce:
- 2 ounces goat cheese or feta crumbles
- 1 teaspoon orange or lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon recent squeezed orange or lemon juice, plus extra as wanted
- Pinch of salt and pepper
- For garnish:
- 2 teaspoons Recent thyme leaves
- Honey or scorching honey
Directions
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Preheat oven to 350 levels F. Line a big baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Add 1 teaspoon of coconut oil, 1/2 tablespoon brown or coconut sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt to every squash half; use your palms to rub into the flesh of the squash, even on the highest (however not on the pores and skin). Sprinkle every squash half with somewhat little bit of cinnamon. Place flesh aspect down on baking sheet and roast within the oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour or till squash is simply fork tender.
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Whereas the squash roasts, you can also make the quinoa. Add quinoa and water to a big pot and place over medium excessive warmth. Carry to a boil, then cowl, cut back warmth to low and cook dinner for precisely quarter-hour. After quarter-hour, take away from warmth and fluff quinoa with a fork.
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Subsequent stir in coconut oil, orange juice, turmeric and salt and stir to mix. Fold in dried cranberries. Style and add extra salt and pepper, if desired.
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As soon as acorn squash is completed roasting, flip squash over and evenly stuff every squash with quinoa. Prime the filling with pecans. Bake for a further 10 minutes.
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Whereas the squash is baking once more, make the goat cheese or feta drizzle: Add feta or goat cheese crumbles, orange zest and orange juice to a blender and mix till clean and creamy. Drizzle evenly over every squash half. Garnish with recent thyme leaves, a drizzle of honey (or scorching honey) and additional salt and pepper. Serves 4, 1 squash half every.
Recipe Notes
See the complete publish for extra suggestions, tips, and methods to customise this squash!
Vitamin
Serving: 1squash halfEnergy: 393calCarbohydrates: 58.7gProtein: 7.8gFats: 17gSaturated Fats: 7.4gFiber: 9.8gSugar: 17.5g
This publish was initially printed on November 9, 2017, republished on October twenty eighth, 2019, and republished on November eighth, 2023.
