Vegetarian Acorn Squash Stuffed With Wild Rice Food

STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Roast: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Cut squash in half vertically (from north to south), and scoop out the seeds. Brush the insides with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Set halves cut side up on a baking sheet, then bake for 45 to 60 minutes, until fork tender.
• Veggies: Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add carrot, celery, onion, and garlic. Cook until fragrant and veggies are brightly colored, about 5 minutes.
• Rice: Add rice and broth, cover, and let simmer until rice is cooked and broth is absorbed, about 15 minutes, or until tender (will depend on your rice). Stir in feta, cranberries, apple, rosemary, sage, salt, and pepper. Cover and set aside.
• Assemble: When squash is fork-tender, scoop flesh from the inside, being careful to not puncture the skin and leaving a thin layer on the outside (hold it with some paper towels if it's too hot to handle). Stir the scooped out flesh in with the rice mixture, then stuff the mixture into each half of the acorn squash.
• Bake: Return stuffed squash to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes, until slightly crispy and warmed through.

ACORN SQUASH STUFFED WITH MUSHROOMS AND RICE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, season cut sides of squash with salt and pepper, drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil, and turn cut sides down. Cover sheet tightly with foil and roast until tender, about 35 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a medium straight-sided skillet, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high. Add mushrooms, onion, and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Saute until mushrooms are golden, 8 minutes. Add rice and broth and bring to a boil; cover and reduce heat to low. Cook until liquid is absorbed, 20 minutes.
• Remove squash from oven and heat broiler. Carefully scoop out 2 to 3 tablespoons flesh from each squash half and stir into rice; season with salt and pepper. Divide rice mixture among squash halves, sprinkle with Parmesan, and broil until melted, 2 minutes.

CHEESY RICE-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Position a rack in the upper third of the oven; preheat to 425 degrees F. Put the squash, cut-side up, in a large microwave-safe dish with 1 tablespoon water; dot with 1 tablespoon butter and season with salt and pepper. Cover with plastic wrap and pierce with a knife to vent. Microwave until tender, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion; cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute. Add the flour and cook, stirring, 3 minutes. Whisk in the milk until smooth, then bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Add the cheese, stirring to melt. Add the nutmeg, 3/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Stir in the rice and spinach.
• Transfer the squash to a rimmed baking sheet and fill with the rice mixture. Sprinkle with more cheese and bake until lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Top with parsley.

VEGAN WILD RICE STUFFED SQUASH FOR TWO

Steps:

• If desired, cut a small slice off the bottom of each squash half to help it rest flat. Sprinkle the insides with a pinch of salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Place in a 8-inch-square (or similar-size) microwave-safe dish. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on High in 4-minute bursts until the squash is fork-tender, 8 to 12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add leek, celery and mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add wine and cook, stirring, until mostly evaporated, about 1 minute more. Add wild rice, bread cubes and herbs. Stir in broth and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring, until heated through and the broth is absorbed; about 1 minute.
• Position rack in center of oven; preheat broiler.
• Fill each squash half with the stuffing mixture (about 1 cup each). Place in a baking pan or on a baking sheet. Drizzle the stuffing with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Broil in the center of the oven until the stuffing is beginning to brown, 2 to 4 minutes.

WILD RICE STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease 2 baking pans, and place the cleaned-out squash, cut sides down, into the pans. Bake in the preheated oven until barely soft to the touch, about 25 minutes.
• Make the stuffing mix as instructed on the package, and set aside.
• Melt the butter over medium heat in a saucepan, and cook and stir the onion and garlic until the onion is translucent, about 10 minutes. Stir in the mushrooms, and cook and stir until they give up their juice, about 5 more minutes. Add the rice mix and sage, and cook and stir the rice and vegetables until the vegetables begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Pour in the vegetable stock, stir to combine, cover, and reduce heat. Simmer the rice mixture until tender, 30 to 40 minutes.
• Lightly mix the cooked rice mixture with the stuffing in a bowl, and pile the mixture into the centers of the squash without packing it. Return the stuffed squash to the oven and bake until the squash are tender and the stuffing is hot, about 15 more minutes.

LENTIL AND WILD RICE STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Cook the rice and lentils. If using dried lentils and dry wild rice, place 3 cups of water in a medium pot. Add the rice and lentils. Bring to a boil. Cover and let cook for 35 minutes. Starin any excess water and fluff with a fork. If using pre-cooked rice and lentils, skip this step. Simply drain and rinse and lentils and follow the package instructions to heat the rice.
• Prepare the Squash: Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Cut the acorn squash in half and remove the seeds. Lightly coat with avocado oil and season with salt. Place cut-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for about 35-40 minutes, or until the squash is pierced easily with a fork.
• Make the Stuffing: Meanwhile, make the filling. Heat the oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper and saute until browned; 5 to 10 minutes. Add the minced garlic, tamari and spices; cook for one more minute. Stir in the cooked wild rice and lentils, spinach, nuts and dried cranberries. Stir to wilt the spinach and warm the rice and lentils. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
• Assemble the Squash. Once the squash is finished roasting, remove the acorn squash halves from the oven and fill each with the wild rice mixture. You may have some leftover rice and lentil mixture depending on how many squash you cook. Serve immediately.
• How to Store. Leftover roasted squash and wild rice can be stored separately or stored fully prepared in airtight containers for up to 5 days. To reheat in the oven at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until warmed.

VEGAN STUFFED ACORN SQUASH WITH WILD RICE, APPLES AND CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 415 F. Place the acorn squash cut side down onto a baking tray or dish and cover with foil. Bake for about 40-45 minutes until tender. Remove and allow to cool just enough to touch.
• Meanwhile, add the rice and stock to a saucepot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook for about 35 minutes or until all of the liquid is absorbed. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, add two tablespoons of olive oil over medium low heat. Add the onion and cook low and slow for about 50-60 minutes or until caramelized and golden. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer to a large bowl with the rice.
• Return the pan to the heat and add in the additional tablespoon of oil. Add the sage, garlic and mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes, then add in the apples and saute for 1 minute. Then add in the kale and cook until wilted. Season with salt and pepper. Then add in the white beans and mix to combine. Add to the large bowl.
• Mix in the cranberries, pecans, pomegranate arils and two teaspoons of pomegranate molasses. Season with salt and pepper, to taste Mix everything together, then divide between the four acorn squash. Drizzle with the remaining two teaspoons of molasses and bake for 15 minutes until golden brown.
• Garnish with additional pecans and pomegranate arils, if desired and enjoy.

STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 450°F.
• Cook the rice: Add rice and 2 cups water to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cover and reduce to a simmer. Simmer until tender and all the liquid is absorbed, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the heat and allow to steam with the cover on for 5 minutes. Stir in the dried sage and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt.
• Roast the squash: Meanwhile, chop each of the acorn squash in half and then into quarters. (You can also leave it in halves if you prefer that look.) Using a spoon, scrape out the seeds. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, place the squash on the sheet and drizzle with olive oil on the cut sides, then sprinkle with kosher salt and pepper. Turn cut side down on the sheet and roast until tender, about 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prep the veggies for the stuffing: Dice the onion and celery. Mince the garlic.
• Toast the pecans: In a dry skillet over low heat, toast the pecans for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant.
• Make the stuffing: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Saute the onion and celery 5 to 7 minutes until tender and translucent. Add the garlic, thyme, and oregano, and saute for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant. When the rice is cooked, stir it into the skillet. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, the fresh ground black pepper, butter, and pecans.
• Serve: Spoon the stuffing over the squash quarters and serve immediately.

BROWN RICE & VEGGIE-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F
• Cut each squash in half crosswise.
• Scoop out and discard seeds and strings. I.
• f necessary, trim bottom for squash to set level, and place on a rimmed baking sheet with cut side up.
• Sprinkle with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/2 teas. nutmeg.
• Cover with foil and bake squash just until moist and tender about 45- 50 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet sprayed with nonstick cooking spray over medium-high heat, add olive oil.
• When heated, add onion and garlic, if using, and celery.
• Cook 2 minutes and add carrots.
• Cover and cook 3 minutes.
• Add cranberries, sage, thyme, chopped pecans, and 1/2 teas. salt.
• Add cooked brown rice and mix well.
• Remove from heat and fill center of each acorn squash half.
• Return foil over top and return to oven for 15 minutes.
• Remove and top each filled squash half with Mozzarella.
• Return uncovered to oven and bake 5 more minutes.
• Top with chopped fresh parsley, to serve.

STUFFED ACORN SQUASH W/ WILD RICE & MUSHROOMS *VEGETARIAN*

Steps:

• Bring 2 cups broth, wine, and sugar to boil in large saucepan. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until reduced to 2 cups (about 25 minutes) ***Sauce can be made ahead and chilled***.
• Bring remaining 4 cups broth, rice, and 3 tablespoons butter to boil in a large saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low. Partially cover; simmer until tender and some of rice is split (45 minutes or so) ***Rice can be covered and chilled a day ahead as well; do not combine with broth when chilling***.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Trim 1/2 inch off rounded side of squash to create a flat base for the squash to sit on.
• Divide squash halves between two rimmed baking sheets with the seeded side down and roast until tender (approx 45 minutes).
• Place potatoes in a large heavy saucepan. Cover with cold water and sprinkle with salt.
• Bring potatoes to a boil and reduce heat to medium, simmering until tender (about 15 minutes).
• Drain potatoes and mash them.
• Heat 8 tablespoons butter, cream, and sage in a small saucepan until it just begins to simmer, stirring to melt utter.
• Add cream mixture and goat cheese to potatoes, mashing to blend.
• Season potatoes with salt/pepper to taste.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and saute, stirring often, until soft. (about 8 minutes).
• Fold mushrooms into potatoes and arrange squash halves with the seeded side up on the same baking sheets.
• Divide potato mixture among squash halves (about 1 cup each).
• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Place stuffed squash in oven and bake until heated through (about 15 minutes).
• Bring sauce (from step 1) to simmer. Whisk 2 tablespoons butter into sauce.
• Combine rice and reserved broth in heavy medium saucepan. Bring to boil.
• Melt remaining 3 tablespoons butter in large pot over medium heat. Add spinach and stir just until spinach wilts. (about 3 minutes).
• Drain excess liquid from spinach.
• Divide spinach among 6 plates, arranging in center of plate. Drain rice. Divide rice among plates, placing atop spinach. Place squash half atop rice on each plate, pressing to nestle. Ladle sauce around squash and serve.

WILD RICE STUFFED SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Cut each squash crosswise in half; remove and discard seeds. Cut a thin slice from bottom of each half to allow each to lie flat. Place on baking sheets, hollow side up; brush tops with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Bake until almost tender, 30-35 minutes., In a large saucepan, combine rice with contents of seasoning mix, broth, sage and thyme. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until rice is tender and liquid is almost absorbed, 23-25 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute celery and onion in remaining oil until tender. Stir in cranberries, pecans and parsley. Remove from heat. Stir in rice mixture., Fill each squash half with about 1/2 cup rice mixture. Return to oven, uncovered, until rice is heated through and squash is tender, 12-15 minutes.

STUFFED ACORN SQUASH WITH WILD RICE STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 425˚F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Cut the acorn squash in half either lengthwise or crossways, thinly slice the bottom of each half so the squash will stand up, and scoop out the seeds. You can use a spoon, an ice cream scoop, or a tablespoon measuring spoon.
• Rub or brush the inside of the squash with a bit of the maple syrup. This helps the squash to brown up nicely since we're not using oil and it also adds a little more sweetness to the squash.
• Place the squash on the baking sheet cut-side up, and roast for 25-30 minutes until the squash is tender and the skin is easily pierced with a knife. (NOTE: If the wild rice stuffing is not already pre-made, make it while the acorn squash is roasting)
• Remove the squash from the oven and place hearty scoops of the Vegan Wild Rice Stuffing into each roasted acorn squash, place back in the oven, and roast for 10 minutes. (If you are making the stuffing at the same time you do not need to place the squash back in the oven.)
• Serve and enjoy!

VEGAN WILD RICE STUFFED SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F (or 218°C).
• Roast the squash: Slice each butternut squash or acorn squash in half and scoop out the seeds and gunk with a spoon. Place each squash half, cut side up, on a baking sheet and rub each with a bit of olive oil, kosher salt, and pepper. Roast acorn squash halves for 45 minutes and butternut squash halves for 50-55 minutes or until the flesh is fork tender and lightly browned.
• Rinse the wild rice well.
• Wild Rice, Instant Pot Method: Add the wild rice and 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth to the inner pot of the Instant Pot. Secure the lid and select the Pressure Cook/Manual setting for 25 minutes. Allow a natural pressure release and drain off any remaining liquid.
• Wild Rice, Stovetop Method: Place the wild rice and 3 cups of vegetable broth in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down and cover. Simmer for 40-45 minutes, or until the kernels have burst open. Drain off any remaining liquid.
• Make the wild rice salad: Heat the 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet. Once hot, add the shallots and cook until they are starting to soften, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden.
• Add the shredded kale and season to taste with salt and pepper, stirring for 1-2 minutes or until the kale is starting to soften.
• Turn off the heat and transfer the vegetable mixture to a large bowl. Add the cooked and drained wild rice, along with the pine nuts, chopped parsley, chopped basil, dried cranberries, pomegranate seeds, orange zest, orange juice, and 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil. Toss well to combine and incorporate the flavors. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Stuff each squash cavity with the wild rice salad. Drizzle each half with tahini. Serve with additional chopped parsley on top, if desired.1. NOTE: you can also scoop out flesh from the roasted butternut squash to create a more hollowed out boat. That way, you can add more of the wild rice filling into each boat.

BAKED ACORN SQUASH STUFFED WITH WILD RICE AND KALE RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and brush the foil with olive oil. Place the squash in the oven and bake 30 minutes. Each squash should be intact but beginning to give on the side it's resting on, and soft enough to cut through. Remove from the oven and let sit for 15 minutes, until the squash has cooled slightly. Then, resting a squash on the slightly flattened side that it was sitting on in the oven, cut away the top third. You will be putting the top "cap" back on once the squash is filled, so cut it off in one neat slice. Scrape out the seeds and membranes from both pieces and set aside. Repeat for the remaining squash. Turn the oven heat down to 350 degrees. Oil a baking dish or sheet pan that can accommodate all of the squash
• Meanwhile, blanch the kale in a large pot of salted boiling water for 2 to 4 minutes, until just tender. Transfer to a bowl of cold water, drain and squeeze out excess water. Chop medium-fine and set aside. Cook the wild rice, following the directions below, and set aside
• Put the stock into a saucepan and bring it to a simmer over low heat, with a ladle nearby. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat in a wide, heavy nonstick saucepan or skillet. Add the onion and a generous pinch of salt, and cook gently until it is just tender, 3 to 5 minutes
• Add the arborio rice and garlic and stir until the grains separate and begin to crackle. Add the wine and stir until it has been absorbed. Begin adding the simmering stock, a couple of ladlefuls (about 1/2 cup) at a time. The stock should just cover the rice, and should be bubbling, not too slowly but not too quickly. Cook, stirring often, until it is just about absorbed. Add another ladleful or two of the stock and continue to cook in this fashion, adding more stock and stirring when the rice is almost dry. You do not have to stir constantly, but stir often. Continue to add stock and stir until the rice is almost tender, about 20 minutes. The rice should still be a little chewy. Add another ladleful of stock and stir in the kale, wild rice and herbs. Stir together until the stock is just about absorbed, about 5 minutes, and add another ladleful of stock. Remove from the heat. Add pepper, taste and adjust seasonings. Stir in the remaining olive oil and the Parmesan if using
• Season the surface of the acorn squash with salt, pepper and nutmeg or cayenne (if desired). Fill the hollowed-out squash with the risotto. Place the tops back on the squash and put them in the baking dish or on the sheet pan
• Bake 40 minutes, or until the squash is tender all the way through when pierced with a knife

AUTUMN ACORN SQUASH WITH WILD RICE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400° F. Prepare a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

BLACK WILD RICE-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Cut the squash in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and discard. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place cut-side down on the lined baking sheet and bake until tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Leave the oven on at 400 degrees F.
• Heat the butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat until the butter is melted. Add the breadcrumbs, increase the heat to medium high and cook, stirring constantly, until the breadcrumbs begin to turn golden brown. Stir in the parsley and garlic salt. Transfer to a dish.
• Wipe the skillet clean. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Saute the mushrooms and leeks until tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the kale and garlic and cook until the kale wilts, about 5 minutes. Stir in the rice, currants, soy sauce, honey and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper.
• Scoop some of the mixture into the cavity of each acorn squash half and top with the reserved breadcrumbs. Bake until heated through, 25 to 30 minutes.

WILD RICE-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Cook wild rice blend according to package directions. Drain excess liquid, if necessary.
• Meanwhile, cut squash in half horizontally. Scoop out and discard seeds. Brush 2 tablespoons oil over the squash cavities and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Place, cut-side down, on a baking sheet. Roast until tender and lightly browned, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Add shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Stir in dried cherries, thyme, garlic and pepper and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the cooked rice and season with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Remove from heat and keep warm.
• Divide the rice mixture among the squash halves and sprinkle with chives and pomegranate arils, if desired.

WILD RICE STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cut both squash in half along the ribs, lengthwise. Scoop out seeds and stringy pulp; discard.
• Brush cut sides of squash halves with the olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Place, cut sides down, on a rimmed baking sheet coated with cooking spray.
• Transfer to the oven and cook until tender when pierced with the tip of a paring knife, about 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a medium pot, cook rice according to package directions.
• Remove rice from heat, and stir in dried cranberries and pecans; season with salt and pepper.
• Dividing mixture evenly among the squash and serve!

WILD RICE STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400F. Cut the squash in half horizontally. Remove seeds. Drizzle olive oil and season well. Place them on a baking pan skin side down. Cook for 40-45 minutes.
• Prepare the stuffing. In a pan over medium heat, sauté the onion and celery with olive oil for 7-8 minutes. Add garlic, fine herbs and nutmeg. Mix well for a minute. Add cooked wild rice, lentils, cranberries, tamari and balsamic vinegar. Cook for 2 minutes. Stir well.
• Make sure your squash are cooked through. Turn the squash skin side up. Crumble the goat cheese. Add half of the crumbled goat cheese at the bottom of the squash. Add the wild rice stuffing mixture on top. Garnish with the remaining goat cheese.
• Place back in the oven and broil for a few minutes.
• Garnish with parsley.

STUFFED ACORN SQUASH WITH WILD RICE AND ITALIAN SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Cook wild rice according to package instructions
• Preheat the oven to 425 F
• Cut and seed acorn squash, brush 1/2 tsp EVOO over cut sides. Salt. Place cut size down on parchment baking sheet
• Bake at 425 for 20 minutes until almost fully tender
• Heat remaining 1/2 tsp oil in large skillet and brown the crumbled sausage. Add onions and celery and cook 5 minutes
• Add mushrooms, cook 4 minutes
• Add garlic and thyme, cook 1 minute
• Add torn Swiss chard leaves and stir in until wilted
• Remove from heat and stir in cooked rice, remaining salt to taste, chopped parsley, lemon juice, and pepper
• Spoon 1/3-1/2 C of mixture into squash cavity. Bake at 425 for 10-15 minutes until they are lightly browned
• Top with shredded cheese right out of the oven, if you desire

VEGAN APPLE WILD RICE STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400F. Then, wash the acorn squash, slice each in half from stem to end, and remove the seeds & stringy flesh inside. Add the squash halves to a baking tray covered with parchment paper and season by rubbing with olive oil, salt, & pepper. Then, flip upside down so the fleshy inside is facing down and add to the oven to bake for 40-45 minutes until cooked through. Once cooked, flip over and set aside to be filled.
• Once the squash is in the oven, add the wild rice and vegetable broth to a small saucepan and stir together. Cover, turn on the heat, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 40-45 minutes until cooked through. Cooked wild rice will be chewy, but should be tender.
• While the squash and wild rice are cooking, make the filling. Cut the shallots, garlic, mushrooms, apples, and kale before starting. Then, add 2 Tbsp olive oil to a large pan and heat over medium heat.
• Once the oil is hot, add in the shallots & garlic and sauté for 3 minutes until beginning to brown and caramelize. Then, add in the chopped mushrooms, stir, and cook together for another 5 minutes until the mushrooms are beginning to brown and crisp.
• Next, add the chopped kale, chopped apples, salt, and pepper. Stir and sauté with the other ingredients over low heat for another 2-3 minutes until the kale has wilted and the apples are slightly cooked.
• Then, turn off the heat and add in the pepitas, dried cranberries, cooked wild rice, fresh thyme, and fresh sage. Mix together and season with additional salt & pepper to your liking.
• Fill each cooked acorn squash half with the wild rice stuffing. Then, garnish with additional fresh sage & thyme and serve warm. Enjoy!

WILD RICE STUFFED ACORN SQUASH WITH GOAT CHEESE, PECANS & DRIED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Prepare the rice following the instructions on the package, drain and let cool.
• Preheat the oven to 190 Celsius.
• Cut squash crosswise in half; remove and discard seeds. Cut a thin slice from bottom of each half to allow them to lie flat. Place the acorn squash on baking sheets, hollow side up and brush the inside with olive oil
• Sprinkle the inside with sugar, salt and pepper and bake for 45 minutes until tender.
• Prepare the filling in the meantime. Toast the pecans in a pan without fat, let cool and chop.
• Heat 2 tbsps of oil in a pan on medium-high heat. Add chopped onions and fry for 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic along with the thyme leaves and fry for another minute.
• Add all ground spices and fry for 30 seconds, add cooked rice, dried cherries and nuts and season with salt and pepper.
• Remove the baked squash from the oven and fill with the rice filling, adding a 1 tsp of crumbled cheese after every 3 tbsp of rice filling.
• Press the filling into the squash with the back of a spoon to pack it firmly and drizzle some olive oil on top.
• Return filled squash to the oven for 30 more minutes. Serve sprinkled with cheese.