Mediterranean Stuffed Acorn Squash

No dish needed! This baked acorn squash serves as both the bowl and star ingredient in this plant-based masterpiece. Nestled inside is a flavorful mixture of quinoa, mint, parsley, onion, cannellini beans, pine nuts, and dried cranberries.  It’s a work of edible art!

Ingredients

Makes 2 servings

1 large acorn squash

2 tablespoons (27 g) extra virgin olive oil

Sea salt

Ground pepper

1 ½ (2.1 g) teaspoons Za’atar spice mix (recipe below)

1 cup (185 g) cooked quinoa (to add flavor, toast quinoa before cooking)

⅛ cup (21 g) dried cranberries

⅛ cup (17.9 g) pine nuts (toasted if desired)

¼ cup (42.5 g) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

2 scallions, chopped

⅛ cup (5 g) fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped

½ tablespoon (1.5 g) fresh chives, chopped

⅛ cup (5 g) fresh mint, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1 tablespoon (15 g) fresh lemon juice

¼ teaspoon (1.2 g) paprika

½ tablespoon (4.5 g) feta cheese

Za’atar Spice Blend:

2 tablespoons (8 g) ground oregano

2 tablespoons (16 g) ground sumac

2 tablespoons (18 g) sesame seeds

1 tablespoon (1.7 g) ground majoram

1 tablespoon (4 g) ground thyme

1 teaspoon (7 g) sea salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°
2. Microwave the acorn squash for 2-3 minutes to soften the skin.
3. Cut in half lengthwise (from stem to bottom).
4. Scoop out the seeds and discard.
5. Place the acorn squash on a baking sheet with the hollow hole facing up.
6. Brush 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the halves.
7. Sprinkle sea salt, pepper, and ½ teaspoon of za’atar spice over the halves.
8. Turn the squash over on the baking sheet and bake for 40-45 minutes until the flesh is tender.
9. Add quinoa, cranberries, pine nuts, cannellini beans, green onions, parsley, chives, and mint to a mixing bowl. Stir to combine.
10. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, paprika, and remaining teaspoon of za’atar spice.
11. Remove the squash from the oven when finished cooking.
12. Divide the quinoa mixture evenly into the 2 acorn squash halves.
13. Sprinkle the feta cheese over each half.
14. Drizzle the dressing over each half.