Acorn Squash Filled With Quinoa
I have enjoyed coming up with new recipes for different foods and since I don’t have a clue to what I plan to prepare, it’s exciting to see what I come up with. I have tried to go the healthy route and since I love vegetables, I’ve used many in my meals. I like to come up with my own recipes and that’s what I did when I prepared my Acorn Squash filled with Quinoa.
I recently posted my recipe for
Baked Acorn Squash and was it delicious, bubbling with brown sugar and butter in the squash cavity! When reading the comments on this recipe post, one of the readers posted how he likes to add Quinoa to his recipe as it adds protein and bulk. Thanks to Roy, and his blog which you may want to check out
Adjuvancy.com, I took Roy’s suggestion and ran out for another acorn squash. Now I didn’t have a clue as to how to prepare it, but I love to jump in and try something new. If it doesn’t turn out, at least I gave it a try.
That’s where I get my motto from “If we want to explore deeper oceans, we first have to leave sight of the shore”.
A little about Quinoa for those that aren’t familiar with this grain. Quinoa is a high protein , gluten-free grain which has amino acid, fiber, iron, vitamins plus many more health benefits. I actually had never heard of this until I received a bag to test for a product review. I have to admit, I wasn’t thrilled at my first attempt, I didn’t cook it enough and it came out “crunchy”. After a few more attempts, I got the cooking perfected and found it was quite tasty, not to mention healthy. This is a blog I wrote about my attempt at preparing a
Healthy Dinner with Quinoa.
So back to my newest recipe of Acorn Squash filled with Quinoa.
I started by cutting the squash in half, width wise and scooping out the seeds and stringy parts in the cavity. (I save the seeds to replant in our garden). After it’s all cleaned out, I cover the bottom of a baking dish with a thin layer of olive oil and but the squash, flat side down, in the dish and baked it for about 20 minutes.
While the squash was baking, I cooked up the quinoa in a saucepan on the stove top, bringing it to a boil, then turning down to medium to continue to cook until the water had evaporated.
I took 3 tablespoons of butter, melted in the microwave and added two tablespoons of brown sugar. These amounts can vary depending on how much sugar you like.
The squash was now ready to come out of the oven and fill up the cavity. I stated by pouring some of the brown sugar and butter mixture in first, then added the Quinoa, topped with the rest of the sugar and butter mixture. Back in the oven it went for another 20 minutes or until tender.
Will baking, it smells SO good and the sugar and butter mixture bubbled over the squash. When it was finished baking, I scooped some of the bubbled over mixture over the Quinoa and was ready to taste my newly invented recipe.
Dinner was delicious with sirloin steak, green beans and acorn squash filled with quinoa. If you haven’t tried Quinoa, you just might want to give this recipe a try!
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That does look yummy
I was Sandy! I’m getting brave trying new ways to prepare meals and when a reader mentioned adding quinoa, I jumped at it! Thanks for stopping by.
So, here’s another trick. Add the brown sugar and cinnamon to the water you use to cook the quinoa. You’ll have flavorful bites each time!
Well you are just a wealth of information Roy! That sure sounds like my next quinoa meal! Maybe I should put all my quinoa recipes together since it’s new to many. Thanks again for this great idea. I’ll have to work on what I will have this the brown sugar/cinnamon quinoa!
Passing it along to an acorn squash fan!
I’d love to know what your squash fan things of this recipe Savvy Age. I am getting so hooked on delicious and healthy meals, not to mention inexpensive. Thanks for stopping by my kitchen.
I had never thought of this, what a tasty idea!
Thanks to a follow blogger, I probably wouldn’t have thought of this either Mindy. It is so good!!
Oh, I love quinoa, and acorn squash. I bet I’d really enjoy this!
Not too long ago, I had never even heard of quinoa V.J.Maheu! I’m so glad I ventured into trying to and now with different recipes, I’m really enjoying quinoa. Thanks for stopping by.
Martha, i have never tried cooking quinoa in this style – looks interesting and am guessing will be something at least the hubby and I will love (not sure about the kids as they are not quinoa fans)
If you try it, I’d love to hear what you think of it LadyInRead! I’m going to think up some other ideas that are different and unique, I love doing that with the meals I prepare. Thanks for visiting my kitchen!
This is one squash I have not tried, that I can remember, this seems easy and healthy so I may just jump out into that ocean and try it 🙂 thanks for the recipe.
I’ve been saving the seeds from the last few acorn squash I’ve prepared Andria, getting ready to plant the seeds soon for the garden. I love acorn squash and will be looking for different recipes for it. Jump in the ocean and let me know how you like it! (The squash, not the oceans) LOL
Putting quinoa going on my list for Monday when I go to the city. Since I cook for one, most of my cooking is of foods that can be reused in another dish, or frozen for later. If I don’t put the quinoa in both halves, I can save one half for another dish later in the week. Going to have to find a dish for that, but I have an idea. I think I’m going to try this with honey rather than brown sugar though. I love the picture of the finished product, looks like little edible pearls falling out of the squash.
Oh, now you gave me another idea, honey would be delicious, I’m sure! I have another recipe for acorn squash. Cut in slices, put in baking pan with olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. I’m working on this blog next! I like how filling and delicious a meal like this is. Thanks for stopping by.