Description
Savory stuffed acorn squash showcases hearty autumn flavors from Mediterranean cuisine. Rich herbed quinoa and roasted vegetables fill golden-brown squash halves, promising a delightful seasonal meal you can enjoy with family.
Ingredients
- 1 pound (450 grams) ground sausage (Italian, chicken, or turkey)
- 2 medium acorn squash, halved and seeded
- ½ cup wild rice, uncooked (or a wild rice blend)
- 3 tbsps olive oil, divided
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium apple, diced
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup (50 grams) chopped pecans (optional)
- ¼ cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp dried sage
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep Squash: Halve acorn squash, scoop out seeds, then lavishly brush interior with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Roast Foundation: Position squash face-down on baking sheet, roast at 400F (200C) for 35 minutes until fork-tender and caramelized.
- Rice Preparation: Simultaneously cook wild rice according to package instructions, allowing it to rest and absorb flavors.
- Flavor Building: In a skillet, sauté onions in olive oil until translucent, then add garlic and crumbled sausage, browning meat thoroughly.
- Ingredient Fusion: Incorporate apples, dried cranberries, pecans, thyme, sage, and cinnamon into the skillet, creating a complex and aromatic mixture.
- Stuffing Assembly: Blend cooked wild rice into the skillet mixture, ensuring ingredients are evenly distributed and flavors meld together.
- Final Composition: Remove roasted squash, flip halves, and generously fill with prepared stuffing, pressing mixture gently into cavities.
- Finishing Touch: Optional – sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top, then return to oven for an additional 15 minutes to achieve a crispy, golden surface.
- Serving: Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan, serve immediately while flavors are at their most vibrant and warm.
Notes
Optimize Squash Roasting: Choose medium-sized acorn squash with smooth, even surfaces to ensure consistent cooking and prevent uneven caramelization.
Prevent Stuffing Sogginess: Let cooked rice and sausage mixture cool slightly before stuffing to reduce excess moisture and maintain a crisp texture.
Customize Dietary Needs: Swap sausage with plant-based crumbles or tofu for vegetarian version, and use gluten-free grains like quinoa for alternative protein options.
Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast pecans before adding to stuffing to intensify nutty undertones and create a more complex, aromatic filling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg