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

To me, Thanksgiving is set pairing your Grandmother’s vintage recipes with new recipes that allow you to create your personal traditions. Since entering Tony’s circle of relatives, I’ve presented each my selfmade naturally sweetened cranberry sauce and wholesome candy potato casserole to the desk and now every yr we’re certain to not pass over it.

This unbelievable cranberry pecan quinoa crammed acorn squash recipe specifically is encouraged by way of my love affair with acorn squash. I’ve been obsessive about it since my mother and I began cooking it right through school. When you’ve by no means had acorn squash prior to, then get excited as a result of it may be each savory and candy and an attractive introductory squash. It’s soft and filled with smoooooooth flava. Principally the Beyonce of all squash…personally anyway.

Lately’s recipe was once one who I made up on a whim 6 years in the past and it grew to become out to be probably the most inventive foods I’ve made in a while. I’m tremendous excited for you to take a look at it!

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The way to minimize acorn squash

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

1. Bring to an end the top of the acorn squash with the stem on it. You actually don’t want to minimize a lot off, however almost definitely 1/4 inch.
2. Stand your acorn squash vertically at the finish that you simply bring to a halt. This offers a strong base so that you can make a minimize with out chopping your arms or hand. Make a vertical minimize down the center of the acorn squash.
3. In any case, scoop out the seeds. Now you’ve effectively minimize your acorn squash in part!

The entirety you’ll want to make this quinoa crammed 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 simplest! When you haven’t attempted making this kind of squash prior to be ready to fall in love.
• Coconut oil: you’ll want a bit of coconut oil for each the squash and the quinoa to offer them the correct quantity 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 a beautiful 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 = lifestyles, we’re drizzling the squash halves with a beautiful sauce constructed from goat cheese, orange juice and zest, and a bit of salt and pepper. It’s SO GOOD.
• To garnish: take the crammed acorn squash to the following stage with recent thyme and a drizzle of honey (or scorching honey!)

Customise your crammed acorn squash

I’ve a couple of simple techniques to make this vegetarian crammed acorn squash your personal:

• Select your grain. Now not into quinoa? I believe pearl couscous can be scrumptious in right here!
• Pass nut unfastened. You’ll simply change the coconut oil for butter and easily fail to remember the pecans.
• Select your cheese. I’ve attempted this recipe with each goat cheese and feta crumbles and so they’re each scrumptious! When you like a tangy sauce, go for goat cheese, and for those who like saltier flavors, use feta cheese.

How do you’re making crammed acorn squash?

1. Prep the squash. Get started by way of chopping your acorn squash in keeping 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 soft.
2. Cook dinner the quinoa. Whilst the acorn squash roasts to candy perfection, you’ll cook dinner your quinoa and infuse it with orange juice and spices. Discover ways to cook dinner easiest quinoa right here! Then stir within the cranberries.
3. Stuff the squash. Upload the quinoa on your acorn squash halves, most sensible 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 way of mixing the entire components in combination till it’s creamy.
5. Most sensible & eat. 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) for those who’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 below are a couple of steps you’ll do forward of time:

• Prep the squash by way 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 overall 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, cook dinner the quinoa, and stuff the squash halves). Then quilt the squash and retailer it within the fridge. While you’re in a position to experience, merely warmth it up within the oven and most sensible with the sauce and garnishes!
• In any case, in the future forward of time you’ll make the overall 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 most sensible, and upload the garnishes.

Extra Thanksgiving recipes you’ll love

Get all of my Thanksgiving recipes right here!

If you’re making this cranberry pecan quinoa crammed acorn squash recipe, please fee it underneath and go away 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

Gorgeous crammed acorn squash with orange-infused quinoa, candy dried cranberries, pecans, and a straightforward goat cheese or feta sauce. The very best vegetarian facet dish or major to serve at Thanksgiving, or anytime you are on the lookout for a singular, scrumptious meatless meal!

Substances

• For the acorn squash:
• 2 medium acorn squash, minimize 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 most sensible (however now not at the pores and skin). Sprinkle every squash part with a bit of 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 soft.

• Whilst the squash roasts, you’ll make the quinoa. Upload quinoa and water to a big pot and position over medium top warmth. Deliver to a boil, then quilt, cut back warmth to low and cook 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 completed roasting, turn squash over and flippantly stuff every squash with quinoa. Most sensible 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 flippantly over every squash part. Garnish with recent thyme leaves, a drizzle of honey (or scorching honey) and further 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 most sensible.
See the overall put up for extra pointers, tips, and techniques to customise this squash!

Diet

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

This put up was once at first revealed on November 9, 2017, republished on October twenty eighth, 2019, and republished on November eighth, 2023.