COULD THIS BECOME A TURKEY DAY TRADITION?

It’s almost like a one-pot dish….your squash, your meat, your stuffing, all in one! If you want an outside-of-the-box alternative for your Thanksgiving table, try this! We love it around here!

Happy Thanksgiving,

LZ

Stuffed Acorn Squash

Ingredients:

2 acorn squash small/med*

2 tsp organic olive oil, plus sea salt, for roasting

1 Tbsp organic olive oil, plus more, if needed

1 lb. ground turkey or grass-fed beef

1 small onion diced

3-4 cloves minced garlic

1 apple diced (pink lady is great for cooking)

1 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves minced**

1/3 cup pomegranate seeds—optional, but full of antioxidants

sea salt and pepper to taste

fresh parsley and shaved parmesan cheese for garnish, if desired

Instructions:

1. First, roast the squash. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Cut each squash open, lengthwise, the scoop out the seeds/strings with a spoon, leaving a “bowl” in the center.

3. Brush the top of each squash half with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with sea salt, then place face down on prepared baking sheet, and roast for 25-30 minutes, or until top of the squash feels soft when you press on it. Roasting time will vary depending on the size of your squash. You can remove, check for doneness (it should be soft enough to eat) and return the the oven for a few more minutes if necessary.

4. While the squash roasts, prepare the stuffing. Heat a large skillet over med-hi heat and add your ground meat, breaking up lumps with a wooden spoon to evenly brown. Once browned and toasty, remove from heat and transfer to a plate.

5. Return skillet to medium heat and add the onion and sprinkle lightly with salt. Stir while cooking to soften, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and saute for 1 minute more.

6. Add the apples, fresh herbs, and salt and pepper to taste, stir to combine. Cook for another 1-2 minutes to allow apples to soften.

7. Now add the pomegranate seeds and browned meat back to the skillet, lower heat to med/low and continue to cook another 2 minutes to blend flavors.

8. Once ready to stuff the squash, preheat your broiler and arrange the 4 squash halves face-up on the baking sheet. Scoop the stuffing mixture into each one, filling them evenly.

9. Once filled, set your broiler to hi and broil until tops of stuffing and squash are nicely browned, 5 minutes or so.  If using cheese, place it on top and allow to brown under the broiler. Garnish with fresh minced parsley, serve and enjoy!