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Stuffed Butternut Squash

Stuffed Butternut Squash

Emilia
This Stuffed Butternut Squash makes a wonderful cozy main or side dish over the holidays along with casual weeknights. It has a delicious blend of flavors and textures with a wholesome stuffing fit for any occasion.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Mains
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 449 kcal

Equipment

  • baking sheet
  • parchment paper
  • small pot for quinoa
  • skillet
  • large bowl
  • sharp knife
  • spoon
  • fork

Ingredients
  

  • 2.2 lb butternut squash - 1 medium to large
  • 1/3 cup raw quinoa - or 1 cup cooked
  • 1 cup cooked or canned lentils
  • 3 cups spinach - chopped
  • 1/2 brown onion - diced
  • 2 cloves garlic - diced
  • 1/3 cup roasted almonds
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 3 oz feta cheese - or vegan feta
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin - double if you love cumin flavor
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F / 180°C. Wash the outside of the squash and using a sharp knife, carefully cut in half lengthways (if it's too difficult to cut, you can pierce a few holes and cook in the microwave for 1-2 minutes to slightly soften).
  • Using a spoon, scoop out the seeds and any stringy parts.
  • Place the squash halves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cut side up. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and paprika, then rub it over the insides of the squash.
  • Turn the halves over and rub the outsides with any excess oil on your hands. Use a fork or sharp knife to poke a few holes on the outside of the squash. Bake for 30-35 minutes until they're fork tender.
  • In the meantime, cook the quinoa in a small pot with 1 cup of water. Once water has absorbed, place the lid on and steam for 5 minutes then fluff with a fork.
  • In a skillet, saute the onion with 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-heat. Once translucent, add the garlic and chopped spinach and saute together.
  • Once wilted, add 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil, lentils, cooked quinoa, cumin, and season with salt and pepper. Stir together and cook for 2-3 minutes then add the mixture to a large bowl to cool slightly.
  • Roughly chop the almonds and add them to the bowl with the cranberries. Crumble in the feta cheese, then mix to combine - taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper if needed.
  • When the squash is fork tender, gently flip them over. Using a spoon, scoop out some of the flesh from the narrow ends of the squash and evenly distribute it to where the seeds were removed. Gently press the filling down so you have an even level base for stuffing.
  • Stuff the halves with the mixture (you may have a small amount of the mixture leftover depending on the size of your squash). Bake for 5 minutes to warm up the filling and it's ready to serve with chopped fresh herbs for garnish.
Keyword holidays, Nutritious, stuffed butternut pumpkin, stuffed pumpkin, Thanksgiving, Vegetarian