Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe

 

Fall is here and our family is enjoy the fall season of fresh vegetables that are available. Also, the weather and the fall foliage is beautiful this year in East Tennessee. This was our drive through the mountains this weekend. Where we live the colors are spectacular this year. I hope you have great fall foliage you are enjoying too. (Don't worry my hubby was driving!).

One of my new favorite finds is the Acorn Squash. I walked into Whole Foods one day and they had a huge display of Butternut and Acorn squash for sale. My first instinct was to grab the Butternut, but I decided instead to grab 2 Acorn squash to try. I figured I could stuff them with something tasty for an easy dinner. The one thing was I didn't really pick up extra ingredients for the "stuffed" portion of the recipe. That led to an interesting first try at Stuffed Acorn Squash.

I will share two versions of this recipe, the more put together ingredients recipe and my use what was in the fridge leftover version. Both were very tasty and delicious. This is an easy go to meal for the middle of a busy week. For the apples in this recipe I used a small apple called a Lady Apple. They reminded me of a less bitter/tart McIntosh. I think that any fall apple will go well with this recipe, but I would not recommend a sweet apple. Also a few things to clear up on this recipe and AIP eating. You want to watch out for nightshades in your sausage that you choose. Most store brand sausages add spices and red pepper to their mix for flavor and you want to avoid these. I purchase a local source that I have double checked for their ingredients. When in doubt just make your own or ask the company or source for help with the ingredients. Also, I have come to find out pepper is not allowed on the AIP list of ingredients. This is new for me and I am making the change to this recipe and my food list I have provided in the past. I enjoy that fellow AIP followers are helping me out on my journey, thanks!

Stuffed Acorn Squash

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

6075498

Ingredients (2 servings)

• 2 medium Acorn Squash
• 1/2 pound Sausage (pork or beef and nightshade free)
• 1/4 cup Onion, chopped
• 2 celery ribs, chopped
• 1 small apple, cored and chopped
• salt and garlic to taste, or other approved AIP spices

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400ºF

2. Cut Squash in half and remove seeds.

3. Drizzle your favorite Paleo oil and seasoning on the squash and place on a baking sheet.

4. Bake for 40 minutes, checking about 20-30 minutes to make sure it is not overcooking.

You want it to be tender, but still hold its shape.

5. Cook your pork or beef sausage and drain all but 1-2 tablespoons of fat from the pan.

6. Chop your stuffing ingredients and heat the drippings pan over a medium heat.

7. Add onion and celery to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft.

8. Now, add in your apple and cook for 2-3 minutes.

9. Add back in your sausage and cook for 1-2 minutes and stirring well.

10. Season with salt and garlic or other AIP spices and mix well.

11. Place large spoonfuls in each section of your squash. They will be full and almost overflowing.

12. Place the stuffed squash back in the oven and cook for an additional 20 minutes.

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Here is the printable version Stuffed Acorn Squash

Here is my leftovers = tasty stuffed acorn squash recipe.I had broccoli left over from a few nights before and the artichoke hearts were Trader Joe's frozen brand.

 

Stuffed Acorn Squash II

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

6075500

Ingredients

• 2 acorn squash
• 1/2 pound sausage (pork or beef and nightshade free)
• 1/2 cup precooked broccoli, chopped
• 1/2 cup thawed artichoke hearts, roughly chopped
• salt and garlic to taste, or other approved AIP spices

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400ºF

2. Cut Squash in half and remove seeds.

3. Drizzle your favorite Paleo oil and seasoning on the squash and place on a baking sheet.

4. Bake for 40 minutes, checking about 20-30 minutes to make sure it is not overcooking.

You want it to be tender, but still hold its shape.

5. Cook your pork or beef sausage and drain all but 1-2 tablespoons of fat from the pan.

6. Thaw frozen artichoke hearts and roughly chop.

7. Heat the drippings pan over a medium heat.

8. Add back in your sausage and add the artichoke hearts and broccoli and cook for 1-2 minutes.

9. Season with salt and garlic or other AIP spices and mix well.

10. Place large spoonfuls in each section of your squash. They will be full and almost overflowing.

11. Place the stuffed squash back in the oven and cook for an additional 20 minutes.

Powered by Recipage

Here is the printable version Stuffed Acorn Squash II

Why am I posting the 2nd version I made? I wanted to show you how versatile the acorn squash are. I think any type of ground style protein and veggies will work well with the stuffed acorn squash. I really liked my leftover version, while my husband said both were good but he preferred the more planned out recipe. Either way enjoy cooking and eating your acorn squash!

This recipe is featured on Phoenix Helix Roundtable 

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As I make my future goals, I am planning on trying this diet for a total of 6 months. That means possibly not adding back any of the food groups or items I have removed until then. I am still not drinking coffee, which is a big accomplishment for me. A fresh pot of Starbucks brewed coffee sits less than 5 feet from my desk at work. And I can say no to it! I am refining the recipes we eat each week as a family and what I eat for breakfast and lunch also.

If you are struggling with any auto immune or health issue, you can heal yourself with a better diet and exercise. It will take time, dedication, and yes even more dedication. But, just try it. Make a change for yourself. Start small with your changes if you have to, but COMMIT TO CHANGE!!! I have struggled for over 5 years and this is the best I have felt in a long time. I have more energy, I am sleeping well, my anxiety issues are more under control, and I just feel great. If I have a bad day it doesn't overwhelm me and I am learning to deal with daily issues rather than hiding from things. And you have to learn not to turn to food for comfort. I had a day a few weeks ago where everything went wrong. Work was rough and then I backed into someone's care at the bank. But, I couldn't turn to food for my bad day. I had to deal with things. And I made it through it, ok. That was a big step for me. Even when I wasn't eating badly earlier in the year, I would still turn to food for comfort. Now, I cannot do that so I have had to learn to just be upset and get through things. This has been a big step for me.

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Here is the link to the printable version: Weekly Shopping Guide

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Here is the link to the printable version: Weekly Menu Planner

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