This Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe makes use of delicious farm fresh acorn squash and a beautiful mix of fresh vegetables and quinoa that make this entree healthy and delicious! The addition of the maple syrup glaze is equally as delicious and adds a nice sweetness to the mix. 

Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash – Vegetables Anyone?

When I saw the beautiful acorn squash at the Barrie Hill Farms,  I knew I had to make this dish.  I’ve long admired stuffed squash recipes but I had never made it before.  With the holidays fast approaching and the beautiful produce at my fingertips, it was time.

Once I started contemplating the kinds of veggies to include with the quinoa, I had to slow myself down because I wanted everything! I had some bell peppers from the farm in the freezer that I wanted to use.  Have you ever frozen those?  It’s fabulous because you cut them into strips before you freeze them so it’s very handy to just take a few out as you need them.  No wastage!

I sauteed some of the peppers, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, kale, and sunflower seeds before adding it to the quinoa. Then I tossed some diced apple in there just before stuffing the squash and the combination was super flavorful.  I had not cooked red and white quinoa before and I loved the colour it added to the dish.

And so many wonderful types of squash – spaghetti, butternut, kabocha, acorn, buttercup – so many to choose from but I finally settled on acorn because they’re just so darn pretty.  Those are kabocha above.  That’s the fun thing about this Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash, it will look so elegant on your table but takes only a few minutes to make.  I loved the thin stalks and I’ve made some celery soup from it as well that I’ll share soon.  I wondered if there would be a difference in taste and I may have detected a slightly stronger flavour but I’m not quite sure.

Adding Maple Syrup Completes This Recipe

The maple syrup was a great addition to the squash but if you don’t have it, a friend of mine uses a little butter and cinnamon and I think that would be delicious!

I didn’t even know until recently that people like to make jokes about Canadians and their maple syrup – it could be worse, right?  They could make fun of our obsession with Tim Horton’s, hockey, and poutine – oh,wait, they do! It’s all good and of course, there is some truth to it so we better all have the ability to laugh at ourselves, don’t you think?

The maple syrup container I used contains just a little over 4 ounces!  It’s kind of like those liquor bottles that people slip into their jackets! When we need a nip, we just take a sip…..Kidding!  I hope you try this super easy Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash dish and wow your guests over the holidays or just surprise your family with a healthy treat during the week.  Cheers!

Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash With Maple Glaze

Robyn Gleason @ Simply Fresh Dinners

This Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe makes use of delicious farm fresh acorns and a beautiful mix of fresh vegetables and quinoa that make this entree healthy and delicious! The addition of the maple syrup glaze is equally as delicious and adds a nice sweetness to the mix. 

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings 4 people

Calories 311 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 acorn squash halved (Careful when cutting them, they can roll around on you. Use a very sharp knife)
• 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
• 1/4 cup red peppers diced
• 1/4 cup carrots sliced thinly
• 1 small handful of kale chopped finely
• 1/4 cup onion diced finely
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 stalk celery diced finely
• 2 tsp sunflower seeds or walnuts or pine nuts
• 1/4 cup apple diced finely

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 425 F. Scoop the flesh and seeds from each halved piece of squash using a spoon or melon baller.
• Brush the cut sides with maple syrup, ensuring you do the insides as well. Season with a little salt and pepper.
• Place cut sides down on parchment paper or foil wrap on baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes or until fork tender. Check at 20 minute mark. It may require more or less time depending on your oven. Mine was done perfectly in 25 minutes.
• Cook the quinoa according to the directions on the package. I used organic vegetable broth instead of water.
• Heat the oil in a medium sized saucepan on med-high heat. Saute onions, garlic, carrots and celery until softened. Add sunflower seeds and kale, cooking for an additional 3 minutes.
• Remove from heat and add apple, mixing well.
• Add mixture to quinoa and mix thoroughly.
• Scoop mixture into acorn halves and serve immediately.
• NOTE: If you time this right and cook all the elements at the same time, everything will be piping hot. If it needs a little help, don’t hesitate to return stuffed acorn into oven for 5-7 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 311kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 8gFat: 7gSodium: 23mgPotassium: 1089mgFiber: 7gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 2465IUVitamin C: 37.7mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 3.6mg

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Recipe courtesy of Simply Fresh Dinners,  A partner with Barrie Hill Farms in bringing fresh recipes to your table.

More Winter Squash Recipes from Barrie Hill Farms

Vegetarian Butternut Squash Soup

Vegan Pumpkin Pasta

When is Squash Available at Barrie Hills Farm?