QUINOA-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

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Quinoa-Stuffed Acorn Squash image

From the October 2009 issue of More magazine. I used sugar-free pancake syrup in place of the honey, and dried parsley flakes... I didn't have any mint, so I skipped that, and I left out the almonds due to personal preference. I also very stupidly didn't see the "salt and pepper to taste" part, but anyway, the cumin flavor is very pronounced. I also thought that the amount of filling was a bit too much for such small squashes, but it's good eaten plain too.

Provided by brokenburner

Categories     Grains

Time 50m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

cooking spray
2 lbs acorn squash (2 @ 1 lb each)
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup quinoa (uncooked)
1/3 cup natural almonds (raw)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup dried apricot, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Cut the squash in half lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds. Brush the cut side of each squash with 1/2 teaspoon honey; place squash, cut side down, onto the baking sheet, and bake for 40 minutes, or until tender.
  • Meanwhile, put the quinoa and 1 c water into a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and cover; cook until all the water is absorbed, about 10 to 15 minutes.
  • In a dry medium-size skillet, toast the nuts over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, three to five minutes. Allow them to cool, then chop them.
  • Heat the oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, and cook until is softened and beginning to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, and cook for 30 seconds more. Stir in the cumin, cinnamon and ginger. Remove the skillet from the heat, and stir in the lemon juice.
  • Add the onion mixture to the cooked quinoa, stirring until well combined. Stir in the almonds, apricots, parsley and mint; season with salt and pepper. To serve, place a squash half on a serving plate then fill each piece of squash with one quarter of the quinoa mixture. Drizzle each with 1 teaspoon of honey, and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 372.7, Fat 14.3, SaturatedFat 1.6, Sodium 13.8, Carbohydrate 59.3, Fiber 8, Sugar 16.2, Protein 8.3

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