Mediterranean Stuffed Acorn Squash Food

MEDITERRANEAN STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Microwave the acorn squash for 2-3 minutes to soften the skin. This makes it easier to cut the squash in half.
• Cut in half from the tip to the bottom stem.
• Use a large spoon to scoop out the seeds and discard.
• Place the acorn squash on a baking sheet with the hollow whole facing up.
• Use your hands or a brush and rub 1 Tablespoon of olive oil over the 4 halves of the squash.
• Sprinkle sea salt and pepper along with 1/2 teaspoon of za'atar over the squash.
• Flip the squash over on the baking sheet and bake for about 40-45 minutes or until the flesh is soft and the squash is tender. While the squash is cooking cook the quinoa.
• Let the quinoa cool and then add it to a large mixing bowl. Stir in the dried cranberries, pine nuts, chickpeas, green onions, parsley, chives, mint and set aside.
• In a mason jar or small bowl whisk together the 1 remaining Tablespoon of olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, paprika and the remaining 1 teaspoon of za'atar.
• Pour the dressing over the quinoa mixture and stir well.
• Once the squash is done remove from the oven. Add a scoop of the quinoa mixture to each squash evenly distributing it among the four halves.
• Serve warm.

MOROCCAN-STYLE STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Arrange squash halves cut side down on a baking sheet.
• Bake 30 minutes, or until tender.
• Dissolve the sugar in the melted butter. Brush squash with the butter mixture, and keep squash warm while preparing the stuffing.
• Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
• Stir in the garlic, celery, and carrots, and cook 5 minutes.
• Mix in the garbanzo beans and raisins. Season with cumin, salt, and pepper.
• continue to cook and stir until vegetables are tender.
• Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, and mix in the couscous.
• Cover skillet, and turn off heat.
• Allow couscous to absorb liquid for 5 minutes.
• Stuff squash halves with the skillet mixture to serve.

MOROCCAN-STYLE STUFFED ACORN SQUASHES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place squashes, cut sides down, in a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish. Bake until tender, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a 4-quart pot with a tight-fitting lid over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, a pinch each cinnamon and nutmeg, and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until browned and cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer beef to a bowl or plate using a slotted spoon, keeping as much cooking liquid in the pot as possible.
• Add onion, and cook until slightly translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add remaining teaspoon salt and the bulgur, and stir to combine. Add water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with fork, and add reserved beef, the raisins, parsley, and pine nuts.
• Scrape out baked squashes, forming 1/4-inch-thick bowls, and fold flesh into bulgur mixture. Divide among squash halves, and return to oven. Bake until warmed through and tops are browned, 12 to 14 minutes.

MOROCCAN-STYLE STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Arrange squash halves cut side down on a baking sheet. Bake 30 minutes, or until tender. Dissolve the sugar in the melted butter. Brush squash with the butter mixture, and keep squash warm while preparing the stuffing.
• Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the garlic, celery, and carrots, and cook 5 minutes. Mix in the garbanzo beans and raisins. Season with cumin, salt, and pepper, and continue to cook and stir until vegetables are tender.
• Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, and mix in the couscous. Cover skillet, and turn off heat. Allow couscous to absorb liquid for 5 minutes. Stuff squash halves with the skillet mixture to serve.

GREEK-STYLE STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Place squash halves, cut side up, on a large baking sheet; roast until they can just be pierced with a fork, about 40 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool. Meanwhile, place lentils in a large saucepan; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, covered, until tender, 20-25 minutes. Drain. Remove and set aside. In the same saucepan, bring chicken broth to a boil. Add orzo; cook according to package directions for al dente. Drain, reserving broth., In a large skillet, cook sausage, crumbling meat, until no longer pink, 6-8 minutes; drain. Add lentils and orzo to skillet; remove from heat. Add 1/2 cup feta cheese and Greek seasoning; mix well., Pour reserved chicken broth back into saucepan. Over medium heat, whisk in flour until thickened, then pour into sausage mixture., When cool enough to handle, quarter squash and return to baking sheet. Top with sausage mixture. Bake until squash are tender, about 30 minutes. Before serving, sprinkle with french-fried onions and, if desired, additional feta.

MOROCCAN-STYLE STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Arrange squash halves cut side down on a baking sheet. Bake 30 minutes, or until tender. Dissolve the sugar in the melted butter. Brush squash with the butter mixture, and keep squash warm while preparing the stuffing.
• Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the garlic, celery, and carrots, and cook 5 minutes. Mix in the garbanzo beans and raisins. Season with cumin, salt, and pepper, and continue to cook and stir until vegetables are tender.
• Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, and mix in the couscous. Cover skillet, and turn off heat. Allow couscous to absorb liquid for 5 minutes. Stuff squash halves with the skillet mixture to serve.

MEXICAN-INSPIRED STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Fill a baking pan with 1/2 inch of water.
• Place squash halves, cut-sides down, in the prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes.
• While squash is baking, heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat; stir in onion and bell pepper. Cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in beans, tomatoes, and frozen corn.
• Remove squash from the oven. Carefully turn each half over, fill with bean and veggie mixture, and top with shredded cheese.
• Return to the oven and bake until cheese is bubbling and squash is tender, about 20 more minutes.