Acorn Squash Stuffed with Wild Rice, Apples, Sage, and Celery

Aug 21, 2009 10:49

2 acorn squash, halved top to bottom, seeds and strings removed
3 cup cooked white rice, cooked with vegetable/chicken stock instead of water
2 cup cooked wild rice (about 1/3-1/2 cup uncooked) cooked in vegetable/chicken stock
3 apples, peeled, cored, diced to 1-2" pieces
2 stalks celery, sliced thinly
2 tablespoons dry sage or 15 fresh minced sage leaves
enough olive oil to brush or drizzle on squash lightly
20-30 walnut halves (no shell)
1 egg
4 tablespoon butter, divided
2 teaspoons brown sugar
salt, pepper
4 teaspoons maple syrup

Cook the uncooked white rice as you would normally, using stock instead of water. Use 2 cups stock to 1 cup long grain white rice.

Boil uncooked wild rice in 2 cups simmering stock for about 30 minutes or longer until tender. Drain.

Preheat the oven to 400 F. Put the squash cut side up on a cookie sheet and brush or drizzle with olive oil lightly. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Bake for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium high heat, melt two tablespoons of butter, and sautee the apples, celery, walnuts and sage. After about five minutes, add the brown sugar and toss to coat. Continue to sautee until the celery and apples begin to soften. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

Mix the skillet contents with both rices in a big bowl. Scramble the egg, slice into thin strips and mix with rice. Taste and adjust seasonings.

Pull the acorn squash out of the oven after 10-15 minutes. Fill the squash with rice stuffing and put 1/2 tabelspoon of butter on top of each half and return to oven for 10 minutes or until a knife goes easily into the flesh of the squash along the top.

If any rice mix is left you can bake it in a separate bowl or heat it in a skillet and serve alongside.

Pull the squash out, drizzle just a very little maple syrup on top and serve to what will no doubt be an appreciative audience.

You can make the rice stuffing beforehand or even pre-bake the squash in advance leaving the final 10-15 minute bake before serving.
Previous post Next post
Up