Stuffed Acorn Squash

Serves 2-4

Ingredients:

• 2 medium acorn squash, halved
• 1 lb. ground meat (turkey/chicken/bison/pork/or beef)
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 cup diced apple of choice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1/2 tsp dried)
• 1 tsp fresh grated ginger (or 1/2 tsp dried)
• 1 tbsp dried (or fresh, minced) sage
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes (optional/more if preferred)
• Olive oil (or cooking oil of choice)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. To prepare squash, use a sharp knife (Chef’s) to halve each squash. Using a large spoon scrape out seeds and stringy bits and discard.
3. Drizzle ~1 tbsp olive oil on flesh (cut side) of squash and sprinkle a pinch of salt onto each halve. Rub into flesh side then arrange on baking sheet flesh side down.
4. Bake for approximately 30-40 minutes (depending on the size of your squash). The flesh should be easy to pierce with a fork when done.

Prepare filling while squash is roasting.

1. Heat a large skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Add ~1 tbsp oil and let it get hot (~ 30 seconds). Add minced garlic and fresh grated ginger to pan, sauté until fragrant. Note: If using dried skip this step.
2. Add diced apple and onion, sauté until tender. Once tender set aside on a plate.
3. Add ground meat (we used bison) to pan along with remaining ingredients. Sauté, breaking up ground into small bits until done (no pink remains in meat). If using a cut with more fat (i.e. beef or pork), you may want to drain off excess fat.
4. Adjust stove-top to low-medium heat. Add diced apple and onion from step 2 to pan and mix to combine.
5. Once squash are cooked, gently scrape out a bit of flesh from each so as to form a bowl shape. Scraped flesh may be incorporated into pan with meat mixture.
6. Divide pan into 4 and spoon evenly into squash.
7. Return squash with meat mixture to oven for ~8-10 minutes to warm.
8. Plate and serve. May be paired with a green salad or steamed broccoli.