Best 7 Fruit Nut Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey with our tantalizing fruit and nut stuffed acorn squash recipe. This wholesome dish blends the earthy flavors of roasted acorn squash with a delectable filling of sweet fruits, crunchy nuts, and aromatic spices. The tender squash flesh pairs perfectly with the vibrant medley of apples, cranberries, and pecans, creating a symphony of flavors in every bite. Topped with a crispy pecan crumble, this dish strikes a perfect balance between sweet and savory, making it an irresistible treat for any occasion.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll take you through the steps of preparing this autumnal delight, offering variations to suit your preferences. Discover how to select the perfect acorn squash, master the art of roasting it to perfection, and explore different combinations of fruits and nuts to create a filling that's uniquely yours. We'll also guide you in crafting the delectable pecan crumble topping that adds a delightful textural contrast to the soft squash and filling.

Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, our detailed instructions and helpful tips will ensure success in creating this impressive dish. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let's embark on a culinary adventure that will leave your taste buds craving more.

Let's cook with our recipes!

FRUIT AND NUT STUFFED ACORN SQUASH



Fruit and Nut Stuffed Acorn Squash image

Fruit and Nut Stuffed Acorn Squash is a perfect side dish for the fall. Bursting with apples and fall spices it's a healthy addition to any meal.

Provided by Barbara Curry

Categories     Side Dish

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 acorn squash (cut in half)
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoons brown sugar
1 apple (diced)
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
salt
⅛ cup walnuts (chopped)
⅛ cup pistachios (chopped)
⅛ cup dried cranberries (chopped)
1 teaspoon vanilla
honey

Steps:

  • Cut the squash in half from pole to pole. Scoop out seeds and place flesh side down in a microwave safe dish. Add 1/4 cup water and cover with plastic wrap. Vent the plastic with 3-4 knife holes and microwave for 15-20 minutes until the squash is tender.
  • Remove from the microwave and place flesh side up on a baking sheet. Combine butter and brown sugar and brush over the squash. Place under broiler for 2-4 minutes until golden brown.
  • While the squash is cooking, prepare the stuffing. In a 10-inch skillet, melt a tablespoon of butter. Once melted and hot, add the diced apples. Sauté for 8-10 minutes until soft, but not mushy. Add in the cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Place in a bowl and add vanilla and chopped walnuts and cranberries.
  • Fill the squash centers with the apple filling and top with chopped pistachios and a drizzle of honey. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 379 kcal, Carbohydrate 51 g, Protein 5 g, Fat 20 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, Cholesterol 30 mg, Sodium 110 mg, Fiber 7 g, Sugar 21 g, ServingSize 1 serving

STUFFED ACORN SQUASH



Stuffed Acorn Squash image

Very easy acorn squash with stuffing, that even the kids like, when you want to do something with it besides just butter and brown sugar!

Provided by Weavre

Categories     Side Dish     Vegetables     Squash     Acorn Squash Side Dish Recipes

Time 1h10m

Yield 2

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 acorn squash, halved and seeded
4 tablespoons butter, divided
4 tablespoons brown sugar, divided
2 cups dry bread stuffing mix, divided
1 ½ cups chicken broth, divided
salt and pepper to taste
garlic powder to taste
onion powder to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Place squash, face up, in a shallow baking dish. In each half place 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 cup stuffing mix, 3/4 cup chicken broth, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. Wrap each half tightly with aluminum foil.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until squash is very tender.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1230 calories, Carbohydrate 216.2 g, Cholesterol 66.8 mg, Fat 30.6 g, Fiber 17.4 g, Protein 25.8 g, SaturatedFat 16.4 g, Sodium 4671.2 mg, Sugar 52.4 g

BAKED STUFFED ACORN SQUASH



Baked Stuffed Acorn Squash image

This makes a substantial vegetarian - or vegan if you leave out the cheese - Thanksgiving main dish. It is another riff on the native American tradition of the Three Sisters - corn, beans, and squash. I used acorn squash here, and it serves as a vessel for the sweet and pungent bean, corn and tomato filling. Acorn squash comes in various sizes; the larger ones, which are sometimes all I can find, take almost an hour to soften and cook through; the finished squash can be cut in half or even into thirds if too big for one serving. With everything that comes on the Thanksgiving sideboard, that will probably be the case. I always bake the squash for about 20 minutes before cutting it in half; they soften up a little bit, which makes it much easier to cut.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories     dinner, main course, side dish

Time 2h

Yield 8 substantial main dish servings, 12 to 16 smaller servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

4 large or 6 smaller acorn squash
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus additional for basting
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 red pepper, diced
1 28-ounce can chopped tomatoes with juice, pulsed to a coarse purée in a food processor
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons mild honey, maple syrup or pomegranate molasses
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, sherry vinegar or apple cider vinegar
Salt to taste
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
3 cups cooked pintos, black beans or red beans, or 2 cans, drained and rinsed
1 cup corn kernels
2/3 cup breadcrumbs
2 ounces / 1/2 cup Gruyère, grated

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 375 degrees. Place squash on a baking sheet and bake 20 minutes, until soft enough to easily cut in half. Wait until cool enough to handle (about 15 minutes), then cut in half (stem to tip) and scoop out seeds and membranes.
  • Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet and add onion. Cook, stirring often, until it begins to soften, about 3 minutes. Add red pepper and a generous pinch of salt and cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and tomato paste and cook, stirring often, until tomatoes have cooked down slightly, about 5 minutes. Add honey, maple syrup or pomegranate molasses, vinegar, salt and cayenne, and bring to a simmer. Simmer 8 to 10 minutes, until thick and fragrant. Taste and adjust seasonings. Stir in beans and corn and simmer another 5 minutes.
  • Oil 1 or 2 baking dishes or a sheet pan that will accommodate all the squash. Season cavities and cut sides of the squash with salt and pepper and brush with olive oil or melted butter. Fill with bean mixture. Mix together bread crumbs, Gruyère and remaining olive oil and sprinkle over the filling. Brush exposed edges of squash with oil. Place in the baking dish or on baking sheet and cover tightly with foil. Bake large squash for 45 minutes, check smaller squash after 30 minutes. The flesh should be easy to penetrate with the tip of a knife. Uncover and return to oven for 5 to 10 minutes, or until breadcrumbs and cheese are lightly browned. Serve hot or warm.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 513, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 90 grams, Fat 10 grams, Fiber 18 grams, Protein 23 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 1088 milligrams, Sugar 11 grams

VEGAN QUINOA-CRANBERRY STUFFED ACORN SQUASH



Vegan Quinoa-Cranberry Stuffed Acorn Squash image

This stuffed squash isn't trying to trick you into thinking it's stuffed with meat. And it doesn't have tothe quinoa filling is satisfying enough on its own, full of spiced warmth (thanks to the curry powder) and salty sweetness (from the pistachios and cranberries).

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h45m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 medium acorn squash (2 to 2 1/4 pounds each)
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 small onion, chopped
1 cup red quinoa, rinsed well
1 teaspoon mild curry powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1 cup loosely packed fresh parsley leaves, chopped
1/4 cup roasted, salted and shelled pistachios, coarsely chopped

Steps:

  • Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven; preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Cut each squash in half lengthwise and scoop out and discard the seeds. Arrange the halves in a large baking dish, flesh-side up.
  • Whisk together the vinegar, 2 tablespoons of the oil and the maple syrup in a cup. Brush the flesh side of the squash halves with some of the maple mixture and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Put the squash flesh-side down in the baking dish, then brush the skin side with maple mixture and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Roast until the squash is fork-tender, 50 to 60 minutes. Poke the inside of the squash halves with a fork and brush generously with more of the maple mixture.
  • Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden brown, about 6 minutes. Add the quinoa, curry powder, cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon salt and stir until the spices are toasted, about 1 minute. Add 2 cups water and bring to a simmer. Lower the heat, cover the pan and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the quinoa is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, 20 to 24 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Uncover and stir in the cranberries, remaining maple mixture, half of the parsley and half of the pistachios.
  • Stuff the squash halves with the quinoa and sprinkle with the remaining parsley and pistachios. Serve warm or at room temperature.

APPLE-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH



Apple-Stuffed Acorn Squash image

This is the most incredible recipe that I make every Thanksgiving.

Provided by cksmom1

Categories     Side Dish     Vegetables     Squash     Acorn Squash Side Dish Recipes

Time 1h30m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 8

3 acorn squash, halved and seeded
2 tablespoons stick margarine
1 cup chopped onions
3 cups peeled, seeded, and chopped Granny Smith apples
½ cup golden raisins
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 ½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place the squash onto a baking sheet cut side down. Fill the baking sheet with 1/2 inch of water.
  • Bake the squash in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Drain off any water remaining in the baking sheet.
  • While the squash is baking, melt the margarine in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the onion and apple in the margarine until the onion has softened and turned translucent, 10 to 15 minutes. Scrape the mixture into a bowl to cool until the squash has finished baking.
  • Once the squash is done, stir the raisins, brown sugar, cinnamon, and Cheddar cheese into the apple mixture. Turn the squash cut side up on the baking sheet and fill with the apple mixture. Return the squash to the oven; bake until the filling is hot and the cheese has melted, about 15 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 338.2 calories, Carbohydrate 51 g, Cholesterol 29.7 mg, Fat 13.2 g, Fiber 6.1 g, Protein 10 g, SaturatedFat 6.7 g, Sodium 228.7 mg, Sugar 24.8 g

FRUIT & NUT STUFFED ACORN SQUASH



Fruit & Nut Stuffed Acorn Squash image

A different take on your usual acorn squash dish - the filling is delicious, but not as sweet as most I've had before. Found this in a great cookbook!

Provided by filaughn

Categories     Vegetable

Time 1h55m

Yield 4-6 squash halves, 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 -3 large acorn squash
1 1/2 cups onions
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 stalk celery (diced)
2 garlic cloves (minced)
2 tart apples (chopped)
1 1/2 cups cooked brown rice
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
6 -8 dried apricots (chopped)
1/4 cup nuts (chopped)
1/4 raisins or 1/4 dried cranberries
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried sage
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1 pinch black pepper

Steps:

  • Cut squash in half and scoop out seeds and strings.
  • Lightly grease baking sheet. Place squash on sheet, cut side down and back at 350 for 40 - 50 minutes, until soft but not mushy. Remove from heat and place, cut site up, on sheet.
  • Saute onion, celery and garlic in olive oil until translucent.
  • Add all other filling ingredients and mix until blended. Use a large spoon to fill squash halves.
  • Cover squash with aluminum foil and bake at 375 for 20 - 30 minutes until all ingredients are well cooked.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 453.9, Fat 17.9, SaturatedFat 2.1, Sodium 369.6, Carbohydrate 71.5, Fiber 11.2, Sugar 18.7, Protein 10.1

FRUIT-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH



Fruit-Stuffed Acorn Squash image

Make and share this Fruit-Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe from Food.com.

Provided by carolinafan

Categories     Vegetable

Time 1h25m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 medium acorn squash
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups chopped unpeeled tart apples
3/4 cup fresh cranberries or 3/4 cup frozen cranberries
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Steps:

  • Cut squash in half; discard seeds.
  • Place squash cut side down in an ungreased 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Add 1 inch of hot water to the dish.
  • Bake, uncovered, at 350* for 30 minutes. Drain water from pan; turn squash cut side up.
  • Sprinkle with salt.
  • Combine the remaining ingredients; spoon into squash. Bake 40-50 minutes longer or until squash is tender.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 230.4, Fat 6.1, SaturatedFat 3.7, Cholesterol 15.3, Sodium 199.1, Carbohydrate 46.8, Fiber 5.6, Sugar 20.5, Protein 2

Tips:

  • Choose the right acorn squash: Look for squash that is deep green in color, feels heavy for its size, and has a smooth, unblemished skin.
  • Prepare the squash properly: Cut the squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and pulp. Then, brush the inside of the squash with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  • Roast the squash until tender: Place the squash cut-side up on a baking sheet and roast in a preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 45-60 minutes, or until the squash is tender.
  • Stuff the squash with your favorite fillings: Once the squash is roasted, fill it with your favorite stuffing. Some popular options include cooked rice, quinoa, lentils, beans, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
  • Bake the stuffed squash until heated through: Once the squash is stuffed, return it to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the filling is heated through.
  • Serve the squash immediately: Stuffed acorn squash is best served hot out of the oven. Enjoy it as a main course or side dish.

Conclusion:

Stuffed acorn squash is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is a great way to use up leftover rice or quinoa, and it is also a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. With so many different ways to stuff and flavor acorn squash, there is sure to be a recipe that everyone will enjoy.

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