Sausage and Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash

By loritot

Ingredients

• 2 medium acorn squash, about 3/4 to 1 pound each
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/3 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 1 1/2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
• 4 ounces fresh turkey or chicken sausage, casing removed
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 1/2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
• 3 ounces Gouda, shredded (about 3/4 cup)

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees . Cut squash in half horizontally and remove seeds; place cut side down in a baking pan filled with 1 inch hot water. Bake 45 minutes, or until a sharp knife easily pierces squash.

2. Meanwhile, bring broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add quinoa and simmer, partially covered, over medium-low heat 15 minutes. Turn off heat and cover pot.

3. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add sausage, cumin and salt. Saute 4 minutes, breaking up meat with a spoon. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic and ginger. Cook 2 minutes; stir in quinoa.

4. Transfer squash halves to a dry baking dish, cut side up. Pack each with an even amount of filling and bake 20 minutes. Press shredded cheese into each filled half and bake 5 minutes more, or until cheese has just melted.