Calling all vegans, vegetarians, and adventurous foodies! Embark on a culinary journey with our delectable Vegan Acorn Squash Stuffed with Israeli Couscous recipe. This tantalizing dish showcases the best of plant-based cuisine, combining hearty and nutritious ingredients with a symphony of flavors. Our recipe features a delightful blend of Israeli couscous, sautéed onions, garlic, cranberries, pecans, and aromatic herbs, all nestled inside tender acorn squash. As you savor each bite, you'll be greeted with a burst of textures and a delightful balance of sweet, savory, and tangy notes. Plus, we've included a bonus section with three additional stuffing variations to cater to different taste preferences. From a vibrant Mediterranean-inspired filling to a smoky chipotle-spiked mixture, these variations promise an explosion of flavors that will leave you craving for more. Join us on this culinary adventure and discover the magic of plant-based cooking!
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
VEGAN STUFFED ACORN SQUASH
Easy to make with quinoa, seasonal herbs, crunchy nuts and seeds, and sweet pops of cranberry. They can be made ahead of time and are the perfect main dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Provided by Sam Turnbull • It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken
Categories Main Course
Time 45m
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat your oven to 400F (200C).
- Divide the oil over the 4 squash halves and use your fingers or a brush to spread the oil over the squash flesh. Bake cut side facing down on a baking pan for 25 - 35 minutes until the squash is fork-tender.
- Heat the oil in a large high sided pan or pot over medium-high heat. When hot add the onions and garlic and sauté until the onions turn translucent and just begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the quinoa and vegetable broth and cover with a lid. Bring to a simmer and continue to simmer for 10 - 15 minutes until the vegetable broth is absorbed and the quinoa is cooked.
- Once the quinoa is cooked, stir in all of the remaining ingredients, the nuts or seeds, cranberries, thyme, sage, pepper, cinnamon, and add salt to taste. I found the vegetable broth I used had enough salt so I did not need extra, but taste your dish and add more if needed. Remove from heat.
- Divide the quinoa mixture evenly among the acorn squash halves, packing it into the well of the squash. You may have extra quinoa leftover. Serve hot, and garnish with more fresh thyme or sage as desired. See notes for making this dish ahead of time.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 stuffed acorn squash half, Calories 468 kcal, Carbohydrate 69 g, Protein 10 g, Fat 20 g, SaturatedFat 2.25 g, Sodium 481 mg, Fiber 9 g, Sugar 12 g
COUSCOUS-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH
Our Test Kitchen combined this popular winter squash with couscous, cherries, walnuts and seasonings and served it in the shell. Even kids will like this flavorful and filling dish.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 50m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Cut squash in half; discard seeds. Place squash cut side down in an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish; add water. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until tender. , In a small saucepan, bring apple juice to a boil; stir in couscous. Cover and remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork., Scoop out squash, leaving a 1/4-in. shell. Cut pulp into 1/2-in. pieces; place in a bowl. Stir in the couscous, cranberries, walnuts and onion. Combine the butter, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon; drizzle over couscous mixture and toss gently. Spoon into squash shells. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts :
COUSCOUS-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH
A couscous salad is made of pistachios, carrots, cranberries, and garbanzo beans and stuffed inside an acorn squash. The salad is also flavored with cinnamon, cumin, and orange.
Provided by ainsliek
Time 55m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Brush each squash half with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil. Place on a rimmed baking sheet, cut-sides down. Use a sharp knife to cut off a small section of the rounded squash, so it will sit flat when turned upside-down.
- Bake in the preheated oven until squash is soft when pierced with a fork, 30 to 40 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine garbanzo beans, orange juice, cinnamon, cumin, and remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a saucepan over low heat. Cook the beans for 10 minutes while the mixture slowly comes to a boil. Remove from the heat, stir in couscous, and cover with a lid. Let sit for 5 minutes.
- Remove the lid and stir cranberries, pistachio nuts, carrots, and butter into the couscous.
- Remove squash from the oven. Turn over and stuff with couscous mixture, firmly pushing it into each open cavity. Return to the oven and bake for 5 to 10 minutes more.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 492.2 calories, Carbohydrate 71.3 g, Cholesterol 15.3 mg, Fat 21.4 g, Fiber 12.2 g, Protein 11 g, SaturatedFat 5.7 g, Sodium 299.5 mg, Sugar 12.2 g
Tips:
- To save time, you can substitute pre-cooked Israeli couscous or quinoa for the cooked bulgur wheat. - If you don't have any vegetable broth, you can use water instead. Just add a little extra salt and pepper to taste. - If you're short on time, you can roast the acorn squash in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, then stuff and bake for an additional 10 minutes. - For a vegan version of this recipe, be sure to use vegan feta cheese and yogurt. - If you don't have any fresh herbs, you can use 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme or oregano instead.Conclusion:
This vegan acorn squash stuffed with Israeli couscous is a delicious and healthy meal that is perfect for a fall dinner. The acorn squash is roasted until tender, then stuffed with a flavorful mixture of Israeli couscous, vegetables, and herbs. The dish is then baked until the couscous is cooked through and the squash is golden brown. This recipe is sure to impress your friends and family, and it's also a great way to use up any leftover squash you may have.
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