Persian Rice Stuffed Butternut Squash Food

RICE-STUFFED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Cut squash in half lengthwise; discard seeds. Cut a thin slice from the bottom of each half so it sits flat. Place cut side down in an 11x7-in. baking dish; add 1/2 in. of hot water. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes., Drain water from pan; turn squash cut side up. When cool enough to handle, scoop out pulp, leaving about a 1/4-in. shell. , In a large bowl, combine the pulp, rice, cheese, cranberries, chutney, onion, curry powder, salt and pepper. Spoon into squash shells. Dot with butter. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until squash is tender.

RICE STUFFING WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rice and bay leaves, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook as the label directs; drain well. Discard the bay leaves. Spread out the rice on a baking sheet to cool.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and butter a shallow 3-quart baking dish. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the squash, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until softened and golden, 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool.
• Melt 4 tablespoons butter in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add the leeks and celery and cook, stirring, until softened, 5 minutes. Add the broth, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper; bring to a simmer, then remove from the heat.
• Whisk the egg in a large bowl. Stir in the rice, squash, leek-broth mixture, cranberries and parsley. Transfer to the baking dish; top with the pecans. Cut the remaining 2 tablespoons butter into small cubes; scatter over the pecans. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes, then uncover and bake until golden, about 20 more minutes.Special equipment:

VEGAN WILD-RICE-STUFFED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F.
• Cut each squash in half lengthwise and scoop out and discard the seeds. Arrange the halves in a large baking dish, flesh-side up.
• Whisk together the vinegar, maple syrup and 2 tablespoons oil. Brush the flesh-side of the squash halves with some of the maple-oil and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Put the squash flesh-side down in the baking dish, then brush the skin side with the maple-oil mixture and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Roast until the squash is fork-tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Let the squash rest until cool enough to handle. Scoop some of the flesh out into a large bowl, leaving about 1/4-inch border of flesh all around. Leave the scooped-out flesh in relatively large chunks.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, then add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden brown, about 6 minutes. Add the rice, curry powder, cinnamon, cayenne and 1/2 teaspoon salt and stir until the spices are toasted, about 1 minute. Add 2 cups water and bring to a simmer covered, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, 30 to 40 minutes (different brands of wild rice may vary in cooking times; add more water if needed). Remove from heat and add to the chunks of butternut squash along with the remaining maple-oil, cherries, parsley, sage, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper.
• Evenly stuff the scooped-out squash halves with the filling, then drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and bake, uncovered, until the filling is warmed through, about 30 minutes. Cut each in half crosswise and transfer to a serving platter. Sprinkle with walnuts and parsley. Serve warm.

SAUSAGE-STUFFED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Place squash halves in a shallow pan and cover with water.
• Roast in the preheated oven until tender, 35 to 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool partially, about 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir sausage in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes; do not drain fat. Add onion and garlic to sausage and cook and stir over medium-high heat until onion has softened, about 5 minutes.
• Remove flesh from squash, leaving 1/3-inch flesh in the shell to keep it sturdy. Mix squash flesh, sausage mixture, Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, parsley, oregano, and cayenne together in a bowl. Stuff squash shells with mixture.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.