Best Fonio Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipes

STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Pierce each squash with a fork in a dozen places and roast for about 1 hour. Remove the squashes from the oven, let them cool slightly and then cut each one in half and scoop out the seeds.
• Place the bulgur wheat in a bowl and add 1 1/2 cups of boiling water. Set aside to soften for at least 30 minutes.
• Drain the bulgur wheat and combine it in a bowl with the rice, cashews and spices. Mix well and set aside.
• Saute the onion, ginger, garlic and peppers in the olive oil over medium-low heat until they are soft but not brown.
• Add the bulgur wheat mixture to the saute pan and continue to cook over medium-low heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Mix in the tomato paste and add 2 tablespoons of yogurt. Remove from heat and stir until the yogurt is thoroughly incorporated. Then add the rest, 2 tablespoons at a time. Taste and season with salt and pepper if desired.
• Turn the oven up to 400 degrees. Mound about 4 or 5 tablespoons of stuffing in each squash half. Place the squashes on a cookie sheet and drizzle a little olive oil over them. Bake for 20 minutes, or until both stuffing and squashes are lightly browned. Serve immediately.

ONION-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Invert squash in a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Fill pan with hot water to a depth of 1/4 in. Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 30 minutes or until tender. , When cool enough to handle, scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4-in. shell (pulp will measure about 3 cups). Place shells cut side up in a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan; set aside. , In a large bowl, combine the pulp, egg, salt and pepper. Dissolve bouillon in water; add to squash mixture. In a small saucepan, saute onion in butter until tender; stir in stuffing mix. Set aside 1/4 cup for topping; add remaining stuffing mixture to squash mixture. , Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 20 minutes or until heated through.

ROASTED ACORN SQUASH WITH FARRO STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line an extra-large baking sheet with foil.
• Cut each squash in half, slicing through stem and blossom ends. Remove seeds. Prick skin with a paring knife. Brush 1 tablespoon oil on cut sides and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Arrange, cut-sides down, on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until tender, 45 to 50 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• Meanwhile, rinse and drain farro, then transfer to a saucepan. Stir in broth and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain any excess broth.
• Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and onion; cook until mushrooms have softened and onion is translucent, 8 to 10 minutes. Add wine; cook, stirring, until reduced by half, about 30 seconds.
• Add cranberries and thyme; cook, stirring, until cranberries have plumped, about 4 minutes more. Remove thyme. Stir in cooked farro, pecans, and parsley. Heat through. Season with remaining salt and pepper and balsamic vinegar. Spoon farro mixture into the squash halves. Return to oven to keep warm until serving.

STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Place squash, face up, in a shallow baking dish. In each half place 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 cup stuffing mix, 3/4 cup chicken broth, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. Wrap each half tightly with aluminum foil.
• Bake in preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until squash is very tender.

FONIO-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper and grease the parchment with some oil.
• Slice the root and stem ends off of the squash and cut each in half widthwise (through the middle). Remove the seeds with a spoon and brush the squash all over with 2 tablespoons of the oil. Season with salt and pepper, place cut-side down on the prepared pans and roast until tender and lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes.
• While the squash roasts, cook the fonio filling. In a medium saucepan, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat. Add the dates and shallot. Cook, stirring, until the shallot softens, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Add the fonio and stir until well-coated with oil. Then pour in the broth and add the red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, cover the pan and turn the heat to low; simmer 1 minute. Remove from the heat and let rest, covered, for 4 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
• Fold the parsley into the fonio. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Stuff the squash halves with the fonio mixture and set upright on the parchment-lined sheet pans that you used to roast the squash. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 5 minutes.
• Uncover, top each squash half with goat cheese and turn the oven to broil. Broil the squash until browned and crunchy on top, 3 to 5 minutes.