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Cozy Wild Rice Stuffed Acorn Squash

wild rice stuffed acorn squash - featured image
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A hearty and healthy dinner featuring roasted acorn squash filled with a chewy wild rice mixture, sautéed aromatics, and toasted nuts. This rustic dish balances sweet and savory flavors with satisfying textures.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium acorn squash
  • Olive oil, for brushing
  • Coarse sea salt
  • Freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 cup dry wild rice blend
  • 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 stalks celery, finely diced
  • 1 teaspoon dried sage
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped and toasted

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Wash acorn squash and cut in half lengthwise. Scoop out seeds and pulp.
  3. Brush cut sides with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place cut-side down on the baking sheet.
  4. Roast squash for 30-45 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F (190°C).
  5. While squash roasts, rinse wild rice and add to a saucepan with vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30-40 minutes until tender. Drain excess liquid and fluff with a fork.
  6. In a separate pan, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté onion and celery until soft (about 5 minutes). Add garlic, sage, and thyme; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  7. Combine cooked rice with the sautéed vegetable mixture. Stir in maple syrup and toasted nuts. Season with salt to taste.
  8. Turn roasted squash halves cut-side up. Spoon the rice mixture into the cavities, packing gently.
  9. Place back in the oven for 10-15 minutes to heat the filling and meld flavors. Serve warm.

Notes

If the squash is hard to cut, microwave it for 2 minutes first to soften the skin. Ensure the wild rice is rinsed thoroughly to remove excess starch. Toast nuts before adding for better flavor. For a vegan version, swap butter for olive oil. Ensure wild rice blend is certified gluten-free if necessary.

Nutrition

Keywords: wild rice, acorn squash, stuffed squash, healthy dinner, fall recipes, vegetarian, gluten-free, comfort food

Find it online: https://zestynora.com/cozy-wild-rice-stuffed-acorn-squash-easy-healthy-dinner/