Acorn Squash Stuffed With Ricotta Food

ROASTED ACORN SQUASH STUFFED WITH RISOTTO

Steps:

• For the squash: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Divide 3 of the squash lengthwise and remove the seeds. Place the 6 squash halves cut-side up in a large, high-sided ovenproof skillet or pot (you may need to do this in batches or two pots). Sprinkle the cut sides all over with salt, then pour the milk into the cavities, filling halfway. Pour water into the pot until it reaches halfway up the sides of the squash. Carefully place in the oven and roast uncovered until fork-tender, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, peel, seed and dice the remaining squash. Place in a roasting pan along with the olive oil and a pinch of salt. Toss and roast until fork-tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
• For the risotto: Add the olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and saute until they are translucent, about 2 minutes. Add the rice and stir to coat with the olive oil and onion mixture. Add the white wine and stir until the liquid has absorbed, about 5 minutes. Add the broth, 1/2 cup at a time, and stir until all the liquid has absorbed before adding another 1/2 cup. (This process will take approximately 25 minutes and the risotto will become creamy from the starch releasing.) When all of the liquid has been added and absorbed, stir in the Parmesan and the roasted, diced squash. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (If the risotto seems too dry, just add some more broth).
• Stuff the roasted squash halves with the risotto and serve.

RICOTTA STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

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.

ACORN SQUASH STUFFED WITH RICOTTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375. Bake acorn squash for 35-40 minutes, until barely tender.
• Remove from oven and cut in half. Let cool for 10 minutes.
• With a large spoon, scoop out seeds. Sprinkle squash cavities with soy sauce. Set cut side up in a 9 by 13 inch baking dish.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, mix ricotta with egg, onion flakes, chives and ranch dressing.
• Mound mixture equally inside acorn squash halves.
• Bake 15-20 minutes until filling is hot and puffy.

SQUASAGE (SAUSAGE-STUFFED SQUASH)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a baking sheet or line with aluminum foil.
• Place squash, cut sides down, on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until tender, about 1 hour. Flip squash halves over and set aside to cool.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir sausage in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes; drain and discard grease. Add celery, mushrooms, and onion; cook and stir until celery is softened, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove skillet from heat.
• Beat egg in a large bowl; stir in sour cream and Parmesan cheese. Stir cheese mixture into sausage mixture. Fill squash halves with sausage filling.
• Bake in the preheated oven until filling is cooked through, about 20 minutes.