I’m having a field day with fall food lately, as if you couldn’t tell. It’s absolutely my favorite food season. All the deep oranges and greens – the food looks almost too gorgeous to eat! This stuffed squash is substantial yet not heavy, thanks to the light and crunchy quinoa. This tiny grain provides complete protein – serve some sautéed kale or Swiss chard on the side, and you’ve got the perfect meal for a cool autumn evening. If you have fig balsamic vinegar, try drizzling a very small amount on top – it’s delicious. Or consider adding pomegranate seeds at the end of the cooking time, in place of the currants. I haven’t tried that, but if you do, please report back!

Stuffed Kabocha With Quinoa and Chickpeas [Vegan]

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Serves

8

Ingredients

  • 4 kabocha squash, halved horizontally, seeded (see notes)
  • 2 tablespoons, plus 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 2 cups thinly sliced leeks, white and light green parts
  • 2 cups red quinoa, rinsed thoroughly if not using the no-rinse variety
  • 1/2 cup dry sherry
  • 3 1/2 cups vegetable stock
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped sage
  • 3 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley, plus additional for garnish
  • 1 1/2 cups chickpeas
  • 2 tablespoons currants

Preparation

  1. Heat the oven to 375°F.
  2. Rub the cut edges of the squash with a teaspoon of olive oil and place on a baking sheet (or two, as necessary), cut-side down. Cover tightly with foil and roast until very tender, about 45 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add the leeks and sauté until golden, about 10 minutes. Add the quinoa and cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes. Add the sherry and cook for another minute. Add all remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, until water is absorbed and quinoa is just tender. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  4. Turn the squash halves over and fill the cavities generously with the quinoa mixture. Return to the oven, cover lightly with foil and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes. Garnish with additional chopped parsley and serve.

Notes

Slice a bit off the rounded bottom of each squash half to create a small flat surface (about 1 inch in diameter) and it will sit in the pan without wobbling.



About The Author

Cathy Elton

See My Recipes

Cathy Elton is a Brooklyn–based writer whose blog focuses specifically on heart-healthy food. She came to this subject the hard way due to finding out she had hereditary heart disease in her 40s. But she turned her health problem into a cooking challenge and developed a heart-healthy vegetarian cooking style that’s still spicy, satisfying, and adventurous. She shares her original recipes on her blog, What Would Cathy Eat?.

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