Acorn squash is mild in flavor, easy to roast and packed with Vitamin C. It is a great way to introduce your kids to squash!
Don't be discouraged if you child doesn't like squash at first. It can take 15-20 times before a child likes a food. To be honest, at times, my kids are still unsure of the acorn squash, but they love this filling. So, we often serve them the filling with some of the acorn squash mixed in. And, of course, a sprinkle of cheese!
Stuffed Acorn Squash
Serves: 6-8
Olive oil
2 acorn squash
2 cups cooked brown rice or quinoa
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
Homemade Turkey Breakfast Sausage (recipe below)
1 t. dried thyme
½ t. dried sage
Salt and pepper to taste
¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Homemade Turkey Breakfast Sausage (adapted from allrecipes.com)
½ T. olive oil
1 pound ground turkey
1 onion, chopped
1 t. dried sage
1/8 t. marjoram
¼ t. salt
¼ - ½ t. black pepper
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Wash squash and poke holes in the skin multiple times with a fork. Place squash one at a time on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for about 5 minutes or until slightly softened. Let cool slightly.
Halve the squash from top to bottom and scoop out the seeds with a spoon.
Put squash cut-side down on a baking sheet that has been drizzled lightly with olive oil. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until soft. Let cool slightly.
While the squash is cooking, drizzle olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and ground turkey and cook until turkey is no longer pink. Add the sage, marjoram, salt and pepper. Mix to combine.
Add the beans, rice, thyme, sage, salt, pepper, and ½ cup cheese to the turkey mixture.
Spoon out the flesh from the squash leaving about a ½ inch on the side. Add the squash flesh to the turkey mixture. Mix well. Scoop turkey mixture and place in acorn squash “bowls” until mounded on top. Sprinkle with the remaining ¼ cup mozzarella cheese.
Bake for 20 minutes more or until cheese is melted.
Approximate nutrition information per serving (based on 6 servings): 380 calories, 11g total fat, 4g saturated fat, 64mg cholesterol, 47g total carbohydrate, 9g fiber, 25g protein.