Description
Hearty “stuffed acorn squash” brings Mediterranean flavors dancing across seasonal comfort. Rich quinoa, herbs, and roasted vegetables create a delightful harmony you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 acorn squash
- 1/2 lb ground turkey
- 1/2 cup quinoa
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 small onion
Seasoning and Finishing:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and slice acorn squash in half lengthwise, removing seeds and creating a clean cavity for stuffing.
- Drizzle squash halves with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, then place cut-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Roast squash for 25-30 minutes until tender and edges begin to caramelize.
- While squash roasts, rinse quinoa and cook in water according to package instructions until fluffy and translucent.
- In a skillet, sauté diced onions and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent.
- Add ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it into small crumbles and cooking until completely browned and no pink remains.
- Stir dried thyme, cranberries, and pecans into the turkey mixture, creating a rich and textured filling.
- Mix cooked quinoa into the turkey blend, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Remove roasted squash from oven and flip cut-side up, then generously fill each half with the turkey-quinoa mixture.
- Return stuffed squash to oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes to meld flavors.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving hot, allowing the herbs to add a bright, fresh note to the dish.
Notes
- Customize the recipe for vegetarians by replacing ground turkey with plant-based protein like crumbled tofu, lentils, or black beans for a hearty alternative.
- Choose smaller, evenly sized acorn squash to ensure consistent cooking and elegant presentation on the plate.
- Enhance flavor complexity by toasting pecans before adding them to the stuffing, which releases their natural oils and deepens their nutty profile.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time to streamline the cooking process and make this dish perfect for busy weeknight meals or meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-55 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg