Cranberry Pecan Quinoa Crammed Acorn Squash

Thanksgiving is getting shut and I’ve had such a lot amusing sharing some emblem new, festive recipes, plus previous favorites like this one from again in 2017.

To me, Thanksgiving is ready pairing your Grandmother’s vintage recipes with new recipes that mean you can create your individual traditions. Since getting into Tony’s circle of relatives, I’ve offered each my do-it-yourself naturally sweetened cranberry sauce and wholesome candy potato casserole to the desk and now every yr we’re certain to not omit it.

This improbable cranberry pecan quinoa filled acorn squash recipe specifically is encouraged by means of my love affair with acorn squash. I’ve been obsessive about it since my mother and I began cooking it all through school. For those who’ve by no means had acorn squash sooner than, then get excited as a result of it may be each savory and candy and an exquisite introductory squash. It’s smooth and stuffed with smoooooooth flava. Mainly the Beyonce of all squash…for my part anyway.

As of late’s recipe was once person who I made up on a whim 6 years in the past and it became out to be one of the crucial ingenious foods I’ve made in a while. I’m tremendous excited for you to check out it!

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Learn how to lower acorn squash

To chop your acorn squash, you’ll want a sharp chef’s knife and a robust slicing board. To chop your acorn squash in part:

1. Bring to a halt the top of the acorn squash with the stem on it. You truly don’t want to lower a lot off, however almost definitely 1/4 inch.
2. Stand your acorn squash vertically at the finish that you simply bring to an end. This gives a solid base so that you can make a lower with out slicing your hands or hand. Make a vertical lower down the center of the acorn squash.
3. After all, scoop out the seeds. Now you’ve effectively lower your acorn squash in part!

The entirety you’ll want to make this quinoa filled acorn squash

We’re packing every acorn squash part with stunning, candy and savory flavors from orange-infused quinoa, toasted pecans, cranberries, goat cheese, and extra. Right here’s what you’ll want:

• Acorn squash: the only and most effective! For those who haven’t attempted making this sort of squash sooner than be ready to fall in love.
• Coconut oil: you’ll want a little bit coconut oil for each the squash and the quinoa to offer them the correct amount of moisture and fats.
• Brown sugar: we’re sweetening the acorn squash halves with brown sugar! You’ll additionally use coconut sugar.
• Orange juice: oh yeah, we’re stirring freshly squeezed OJ proper into the quinoa and into the sauce for an attractive citrus-infused taste.
• Spices: you’ll want some cinnamon and salt for the squash, plus floor turmeric, salt, and pepper for the quinoa.
• Toppings: I LOVE the additional taste and texture that dried cranberries and toasted pecans upload to each and every chunk.
• For the sauce: as a result of sauce = existence, we’re drizzling the squash halves with an attractive sauce made out of goat cheese, orange juice and zest, and a little bit salt and pepper. It’s SO GOOD.
• To garnish: take the filled acorn squash to the following stage with recent thyme and a drizzle of honey (or scorching honey!)

Customise your filled acorn squash

I’ve a couple of simple tactics to make this vegetarian filled acorn squash your individual:

• Select your grain. Now not into quinoa? I feel pearl couscous could be scrumptious in right here!
• Cross nut unfastened. You’ll simply change the coconut oil for butter and easily forget the pecans.
• Pick out your cheese. I’ve attempted this recipe with each goat cheese and feta crumbles they usually’re each scrumptious! For those who like a tangy sauce, go for goat cheese, and if you happen to like saltier flavors, use feta cheese.

How do you’re making filled acorn squash?

1. Prep the squash. Get started by means of slicing your acorn squash in step with the instructions above in order that they’re halved and seedless. Upload coconut oil, brown sugar (or coconut sugar) and cinnamon to the flesh of the acorn squash and bake till smooth.
2. Cook dinner the quinoa. Whilst the acorn squash roasts to candy perfection, you’ll prepare dinner your quinoa and infuse it with orange juice and spices. Discover ways to prepare dinner easiest quinoa right here! Then stir within the cranberries.
3. Stuff the squash. Upload the quinoa in your acorn squash halves, best with pecans, and bake once more for a couple of mins.
4. Make the sauce. Whilst the squash bakes once more, make the goat cheese or feta collapse by means of mixing all the substances in combination till it’s creamy.
5. Best & consume. Drizzle the sauce in every single place the highest of the roasted squash, and garnish with thyme leaves and a drizzle of honey (or scorching honey) if you happen to’d like. Season with further salt and pepper to style and experience!

Make it forward of time

Save time over the vacations and get started prepping the squash early! Listed here are a couple of steps you’ll do forward of time:

• Prep the squash by means of halving it and scooping the seeds out. Retailer the halves in an hermetic container within the refrigerator till you’re in a position to make the total recipe.
• Cook dinner the quinoa, let it cool, and retailer it within the fridge.
• Make the recipe up till you bake the squash for the second one time (i.e. roast the squash, prepare dinner the quinoa, and stuff the squash halves). Then quilt the squash and retailer it within the fridge. Whilst you’re in a position to experience, merely warmth it up within the oven and best with the sauce and garnishes!
• After all, at some point forward of time you’ll make the total recipe minus the sauce and garnishes. Retailer the squash within the refrigerator, then as soon as in a position to serve, merely reheat it within the oven at 350 levels for 15-20 mins or till heat. Then make the sauce, drizzle it on best, and upload the garnishes.

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If you’re making this cranberry pecan quinoa filled acorn squash recipe, please charge it under and depart a remark. You’ll additionally snap a photograph and tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram! xo.

Cranberry Pecan Quinoa Crammed Acorn Squash

Prep Time 20 mins mins

Cook dinner Time 1 hour hour

General Time 1 hour hour 20 mins mins

ServesServes 4 servings

Stunning filled acorn squash with orange-infused quinoa, candy dried cranberries, pecans, and a straightforward goat cheese or feta sauce. The easiest vegetarian facet dish or primary to serve at Thanksgiving, or anytime you are searching for a singular, scrumptious meatless meal!

Elements

• For the acorn squash:
• 2 medium acorn squash, lower in part and seeds got rid of
• 4 teaspoons virgin melted coconut oil (or sub melted butter)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• cinnamon, for sprinkling
• For the quinoa:
• ½ cup raw quinoa
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon virgin coconut oil
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• ¼ teaspoon floor turmeric
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• ½ cup toasted pecan halves, chopped
• For the sauce:
• 2 oz goat cheese or feta crumbles
• 1 teaspoon orange or lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon recent squeezed orange or lemon juice, plus extra as wanted
• Pinch of salt and pepper
• For garnish:
• 2 teaspoons Contemporary thyme leaves
• Honey or scorching honey

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 levels F. Line a big baking sheet with parchment paper.

• Upload 1 teaspoon of coconut oil, 1/2 tablespoon brown or coconut sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt to every squash part; use your palms to rub into the flesh of the squash, even at the best (however now not at the pores and skin). Sprinkle every squash part with a little bit little bit of cinnamon. Position flesh facet down on baking sheet and roast within the oven for 45 mins to one hour or till squash is simply fork smooth.

• Whilst the squash roasts, you’ll make the quinoa. Upload quinoa and water to a big pot and position over medium prime warmth. Deliver to a boil, then quilt, cut back warmth to low and prepare dinner for precisely quarter-hour. After quarter-hour, take away from warmth and fluff quinoa with a fork.

• Subsequent stir in coconut oil, orange juice, turmeric and salt and stir to mix. Fold in dried cranberries. Style and upload extra salt and pepper, if desired.

• As soon as acorn squash is finished roasting, turn squash over and frivolously stuff every squash with quinoa. Best the filling with pecans. Bake for an extra 10 mins.

• Whilst the squash is baking once more, make the goat cheese or feta drizzle: Upload feta or goat cheese crumbles, orange zest and orange juice to a blender and mix till easy and creamy. Drizzle frivolously over every squash part. Garnish with recent thyme leaves, a drizzle of honey (or scorching honey) and additional salt and pepper. Serves 4, 1 squash part every.

Recipe Notes

If you wish to save time, you’ll make the squash and quinoa an afternoon forward of time. As soon as in a position to serve, merely reheat in oven at 350 levels for 15-20 mins or till heat after which make the sauce and drizzle on best.
See the total publish for extra guidelines, tips, and tactics to customise this squash!

Diet

Serving: 1squash partEnergy: 393calCarbohydrates: 58.7gProtein: 7.8gFats: 17gSaturated Fats: 7.4gFiber: 9.8gSugar: 17.5g

This publish was once at the start revealed on November 9, 2017, republished on October twenty eighth, 2019, and republished on November eighth, 2023.