Savory Stuffed Acorn Squash

Delectable Southern European Stuffed Acorn Squash

Step into the heart of Southern European Cuisine with this delightful vegetarian recipe. Perfectly roasted acorn squash offers a sweet and savory base, filled with a tantalizing blend of brown rice, pumpkin, and a mix of aromatic herbs and spices. This dish is not only bursting with flavors but also addresses dietary and allergy concerns, ensuring a satisfying and safe meal for vegetarian diets and those with lactose, additive, and fish, meat, and red meat allergies.

Serves: 2, Difficulty: Expert

Ingredients

• 2 acorn squash, halved and seeds removed
• 150 grams brown rice
• 150 grams pumpkin, diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon rosemary
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
• 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds

Method

• Preheat the oven to 200°C.
• Brush the acorn squash halves with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and place them on a baking tray. Roast in the oven for about 40-45 minutes or until tender.
• While the squash is roasting, cook the brown rice according to the package instructions. Set aside once done.
• In a large skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced pumpkin and cook until tender, about 10 minutes.
• Add the cooked brown rice to the skillet with pumpkin, and season with oregano, thyme, rosemary, paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well to combine.
• Once the squash is roasted and tender, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly.
• Fill each squash half with the brown rice and pumpkin mixture. Sprinkle the chopped parsley and basil on top.
• Garnish with pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds for a delightful crunch.
• Serve warm and enjoy this Southern European treat!

Tips

• For a more aromatic filling, consider adding a pinch of ground cinnamon and cloves.
• Preparing the brown rice in vegetable stock can add more depth of flavor to the dish.

Nutritional Information