Vegetarian Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipe With Cornbread Stuffing

CORNBREAD DRESSING STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut ends off of acorn squash, so you can stand both ends up straight. Cut in half. Try to make sure to leave enough of the end so there is a bottom for the stuffing to rest in.
• Brush the squash on all sides with three teaspoons of olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place flesh-side down on a large, rimmed baking sheet. Roast for 30 minutes.
• While the squash roasts, make the stuffing. Add sausage to a medium non-stick skillet. Set on a medium-high heat and use a wooden spoon to break it up, cook until browned. Add a teaspoon of olive oil along with celery, onion, sage and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Saute until slightly softened, 5-6 minutes.
• Add bread, cornbread, butter, poultry seasoning, chicken stock, egg, hot sausage, veggies and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt to a medium bowl. Stir to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Once the squash roasts for 30 minutes, remove from the oven. Use a spatula to flip the squash over, then evenly divide the stuffing between the squash. Place back in the oven for another 25-30 minutes until the squash is soft and stuffing is crisp and golden brown.

ACORN SQUASH STUFFED WITH HERBED CORNBREAD STUFFING WITH SEITAN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F Line baking pan with parchment paper.
• Cut each squash lengthwise in half (from tip to stem) then scoop out seeds and strings. Make a small slice on bottom of each half so it sits flat. With pastry brush, coat squash cavities with oil. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Place halves, cut side down, in prepared pan and roast until tender but still firm, about 30 minutes.
• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring often, until translucent. Add seitan and cook 2 minutes. Stir in garlic, celery, bell pepper, mushrooms, sage, rosemary, salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes. Stir in parsley and remove from heat.
• In large bowl, combine cooked vegetables, cornbread, tamari, and vinegar and mix well. Stir in enough broth so that stuffing is moist enough to hold together when pressed but not soggy. Adjust seasoning to taste with tamari, vinegar, salt and pepper.
• Remove squash from oven and reduce heat to 300°F Carefully turn squash; fill each cavity with 1/2 cup stuffing. Return squash to oven and bake until topping begins to brown, about 25 minutes. Serve hot.

ACORN SQUASH WITH LEFTOVER STUFFING

Steps:

• Cut squash in half; discard seeds. Place cut side down in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan; add 1/2 in. hot water. Bake, uncovered, at 400° until tender, about 30 minutes. , When squash is cool enough to handle, scoop out flesh, leaving a 1/4-in. shell (flesh will measure about 3 cups). Drain water from pan; place squash shells cut side up in pan and set aside. , In a large bowl, combine the flesh, egg, salt and pepper. Dissolve bouillon in boiling water; add to squash mixture. Add stuffing; spoon into squash shells. If desired, top with cheese. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake, uncovered, at 400° until heated through, 20-25 minutes. If desired, top with chopped parsley.

CORNBREAD-STUFFED ROASTED SQUASH

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
• 2. Spread the cornbread cubes over a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden brown and toasted. Set aside to cool on a wire rack. Leave the oven on but reduce the temperature to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with foil or a silicone baking mat.
• 3. Meanwhile, combine the cranberries and currants with 1 cup boiling water in a heatproof bowl and let sit for 30 minutes to rehydrate. Drain well.
• 4. Halve each squash. Discard the seeds and membranes and place cut side down on the baking sheet. Roast for 30 minutes, or until the squash is just tender. Leave the oven on.
• 5. Meanwhile, wet-chop the vegetables: Fill the Vitamix container with water up to the 5-cup (1.2-L) mark, add the onion, and secure the lid. Select Variable 8. Use the On/Off switch to quickly pulse 3 times. Drain well and repeat the process with the celery (3 pulses) and carrot (4 pulses), draining thoroughly in a colander.
• 6. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, celery, carrot, sage, and garlic and cook until the vegetables are softened and the onion is translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• 7. Mix together the toasted cornbread, cranberry-currant mixture, sautéed vegetables, broth, pecans, parsley, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
• 8. Divide the stuffing among the squash halves. Place the squash in a large serving/baking dish, stuffing side up, and bake for 30 minutes, or until the squash is tender and the stuffing is golden brown.