Walnut Cranberry Acorn Squash (Print Version)

Roasted acorn squash stuffed with a flavorful walnut and cranberry mixture enhanced by fresh herbs.

# What You'll Need:

→ Squash

01 - 2 medium acorn squashes, halved and seeded
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Stuffing

05 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
06 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
07 - 2 celery stalks, finely diced
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 cup cooked quinoa (or brown rice)
10 - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
11 - 1/2 cup dried cranberries
12 - 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
14 - 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
15 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
16 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Brush cut sides of acorn squash halves with olive oil. Season with kosher salt and black pepper. Place cut-side down on baking sheet and roast for 30 to 35 minutes until tender.
03 - Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and celery; cook 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and sauté for 1 additional minute, stirring frequently.
04 - Mix cooked quinoa, walnuts, dried cranberries, parsley, thyme, and cinnamon into skillet. Heat through for 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and stir in feta cheese if using.
05 - Remove squash from oven and turn cut-side up. Generously fill each half with the prepared stuffing mixture.
06 - Return stuffed squash to oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until heated through and tops start to brown.
07 - Optionally garnish with additional fresh parsley before serving warm.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Easy to prepare with simple ingredients for a flavorful result.
  • Combines the natural sweetness of acorn squash with savory walnuts and tart cranberries.
  • Perfect for vegetarians and adaptable for vegan diets.
  • Ideal for holiday dinners or cozy weeknight meals.
02 -
  • Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easy.
  • Toast walnuts lightly before adding to enhance their flavor.
  • If you want a richer stuffing, add a splash of vegetable broth when warming the quinoa mixture.
  • Season gradually and taste as you go to balance the savory and sweet elements perfectly.
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