Cranberry Stuffed Acorn Squash

By MaryEllen

If you’re having guests over, you can pause after filling the squash and put the acorn squash (with the filling in it) in the fridge until it’s go time – overnight if necessary. Then, the final step is to add the Feta Cheese bake for another 5 to 10 minutes until the filling is heated through and the cheese is slightly browned.

This is gluten free. It makes 8 side or 4 main dish servings

Ingredients

• 2 acorn squash
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 cup celery, chopped
• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 2 teaspoons each fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage, chopped
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• olive oil, as needed
• salt and pepper, to taste

Details

Servings 8
Preparation time 15mins
Cooking time 50mins
Adapted from fannetasticfood.com

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Cut acorn squash in half (either lengthwise or crosswise, whichever is easiest depending on the shape of your squash; it’s also helpful to cut a sliver off the bottom so the squash sits flat), and scoop out seeds with a spoon.

Place the squash, cut side up, on a baking sheet and drizzle lightly with olive oil. Bake for 25 minutes, until fork tender.

Meanwhile, heat a drizzle of olive oil in a pot or saute pan that has a fitted lid. Add the onion and celery and saute for about 5 minutes, until just tender.

Add the quinoa, cranberries, herbs, and vegetable broth. Cover, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low and cook until the quinoa is cooked through and has absorbed all the liquid – 15-20 minutes.

Stir in the pecans. Spoon the quinoa mixture into the center of the squash halves (you might have extra, depending on the size of your squash) and sprinkle with feta cheese.

Bake for another 5-10 minutes, until the cheese is slightly browned and everything is heated through.