Cranberry, chestnut and quinoa stuffed squash

The components of these quinoa stuffed squash

Sweet dumpling squash kind of beg to be stuffed as they are an ideal shape. They also make a perfect individual portion size once they have lots of nice goodies inside them. I wanted to stick to some seasonal ingredients but also make sure they had a balance of sweet and savory, as well as having enough ‘bulk’ to them without being too heavy so they would work as a main dish.

I considered going down the cheesy route but instead opted for making a loaded quinoa stuffed squash, with a quinoa mixture that can be made up as the squash are cooking. It makes for a delicious dish that’s filling without being stodgy and has a fantastic range of flavors. I have included chestnuts which, while I love roast chestnuts don’t worry, you fresh. Just use pre-cooked and break them up, so they are really easy to use, but if you can’t find them, pecans would be an OK alternative.

How to prepare the squash

While I have used sweet dumpling squash, you can also use acorn squash if you prefer. I found the best way to bake the squash was to cut off the top quarter roughly, scoop out the seeds etc from the middle, put in a little coconut oil and maple syrup then put the ‘lid’ back on and bake. If you have larger squash you can also cut them down the middle and then bake them cut side down and serve a half as a portion instead (this does mean you don’t have the maple syrup in them as they bake but you can always add a little more to the quinoa to get the flavor).

Leaving the halves cut side up would work too, but you might want to check on them and cover part way through so the edges don’t dry out. Either way, you basically just pop them in a warm but not too hot oven and leave them to get on with it.

The squash are cooked when they give when you squeeze the outside (although do be careful, they are hot!) and will be tender if pricked with a knife. The exact time varies a lot with size, and I think freshness and thickness can impact as well, so do check after around 30min every 10-15min.

How to put together the quinoa stuffed squash

Making the quinoa stuffing is pretty easy as well. You simply cook the quinoa according to the instructions, generally a 10min simmer, and meanwhile soften the leeks in some oil. Then you add the apple, soften a little, followed by everything else and that’s it.

Once the squash are done, you add the stuffing and cook another few minutes in the oven. You’re just looking to warm it back through and let the quinoa soak up the maple mixture in the squash. You can serve any leftover quinoa on the side. It’s also tasty enough you might like to make extra and have it for lunch the next day, possibly with any leftover squash chopped up and added in.

How it tastes

Dumpling squash’s flavor is that familiar soft, tender, autumnal taste of other squash, but it’s not overly sweet. The quinoa stuffing then adds a broader range of flavors and a little sweetness from the apple and cranberries dotted inside. I think it’s nice to get a forkful of both the squash and quinoa together to enjoy all the flavors.

Thought of course, eat it as you prefer. You can eat the skin of these squash too. It’s a bit like potato skin after baking – a little thick but still edible and tastes not bad. Alternatively, take it off as you go.

All in all this quinoa stuffed squash is a delicious, comforting dish that’s filling but not heavy. It makes for a great meal at this time of year as it has such a tasty range of flavors. You could also serve it as a vegetarian (and vegan) main dish alternative for Thanksgiving and other holiday celebrations coming up. It is, after all, a pretty impressive self-contained serving of goodness. Whenever you might have it, it’s a great dish that we really enjoyed and I hope you will too.

This cranberry, chestnut and quinoa stuffed squash makes for an impressive and delicious fall main dish. Tasty and good for you. Vegan, gluten free.

Try these other tasty (and vegan!) squash dishes:

Print Recipe

Cranberry, chestnut and quinoa stuffed squash

A delicious mix of fall flavors, these stuffed squash are a self-contained meal.

Ingredients

4 sweet dumpling squash small, or 2 large
2 tablespoon coconut oil
4 teaspoon maple syrup

For the stuffing

½ cup quinoa (uncooked)
1 cup water
1 leek medium, sliced in half rings
½ apple peeled, cored and diced small
1 tablespoon olive oil
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon maple syrup
5 chestnuts cooked, broken up
¼ cup dried cranberries 4tbsp

Instructions

Note: If the squash are on the smaller side – around 11 to 14oz – then one squash per person is about right. If they are nearer 1 ¼ to 1 ½lb then half a squash each is a more appropriate portion. See above re possibly roasting cut side down if halving large squash.
Preheat oven to 350-375F/180-190C.
Cut the stem end off the top of the squash. If it’s smaller, it will be around ¼ to ⅓ of the way down the squash so you don’t lose the middle when you cut it and hopefully cut where you are into the cavity. For larger squash, cut in half through the stem to the base.
Scoop out the seeds and the stringy flesh from the cavity so you are left with a fairly smooth inside. Then put ½tbsp coconut oil in the cavity of each small squash (or in each half if large).
Put the ‘lid’ back on the small squash and sit on a baking sheet and roast approx 40min until tender. It may take anywhere from 30min to an hour (check after 30min). When ready it will feel soft when squeezed and tender to knifepoint.
Make the stuffing while the squash are baking. Cook quinoa according to instructions, usually bringing to boil in a cup of water and then simmering approx 10min until water absorbed and the quinoa has ‘bloomed’ little tendrils.
At the same time, warm the oil in a small skillet/frying pan and cook the leek for a few minutes until it softens. Then add diced apple and cinnamon, stir and cook a minute before adding the maple syrup, cranberries and chestnuts. Remove from heat and stir in quinoa once it is cooked.
Once squash are cooked, remove the lids and fill the cavity of the squash with the stuffing. Return to the oven 5-10min to warm through. Serve with any extra quinoa mixture on the side.

Nutrition

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This cranberry, chestnut and quinoa stuffed squash makes for an impressive and delicious fall main dish. Tasty and good for you. Vegan, gluten free.