Quinoa-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Quinoa-Stuffed Acorn Squash
2.8 (5 ratings)
Nothing screams fall more than acorn squashes, and when they're stuffed with other seasonal ingredients like mushrooms, chickpeas, cranberries, and pumpkin seeds, they become a delicious cold-weather dish. This recipe uses quinoa as a base for the stuffing and adds unique ingredients like cilantro to create flavor unlike any other. 
Servings
2
Ingredients
  • 1 large acorn squash, halved and seeded
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 yellow onion, diced small
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chopped shiitake mushrooms
  • 1/2 cup chickpeas
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/3 cup pumpkin seeds
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • pinch of cayenne
  • dash of sherry vinegar
  • 2 cup cooked quinoa
  • chopped sage, for garnish
Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Place the squash on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and roast until golden brown and fork tender, about 45 minutes.
  3. While the squash is roasting, place a large sauté pan with the olive oil over medium-medium high heat. When the pan is hot, add the onions and cook until translucent. Add the mushrooms and garlic and continue to sauté until the mushrooms release their liquid and it evaporates, about 5 minutes, while constantly stirring the contents of the pan. Add the chickpeas, cranberries, pumpkin seeds, cilantro, cayenne, and sherry and stir well to combine. Add the quinoa and stir well and season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and stuff into the acorn squash. Garnish with the sage and serve.