Servings: 6-10 Prep Time: 45 Min
This time of year you will find your local grocery stores filled with them. With their waxy finish and tough skin, it fits right along side a decorative gourd in a festive centerpiece at thanksgiving. But these squashes are in fact edible. Once I realized this, they quickly became a staple at my house this time of year. They are super healthy and they keep forever (literally, I think I've kept one around for 2 or 3 months before). There are tons of uses besides your fall decor. Most of which involve shoveling it in your mouth.
One of my favorite ways to prepare delicata squash is to slice, season, roast and stuff! You'll probably find a lot of recipes for stuffed delicata squash on the interwebs. Im not claiming to invent anything new here, except for the addition of the Cardamom Cranberry Paleo Granola. It was a game changer. Besides being a paleo friendly recipe, it is also kid friendly, and adult friendly. Serve it as a side dish this thanksgiving or serve it as a main. Either way, it's sure to please.
What you'll need
3 Medium Delicata squash ( about 1 lb. each), halved lengthwise and seeded
3 Tsp. Olive oil, divided (or coconut oil)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 lb. Ground lamb chorizo (or favorite ground sausage)
⅓ Cup Chopped onion (1 small)
2 Cloves garlic, minced
3 Cups Torn fresh kale, stems removed
1 Small apple, diced
1 Tbsp Chopped fresh rosemary (or 1 tsp dried)
1 Tbsp Chopped fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
1/2 Tsp Crushed pepper (or more depending on your spice preference)
3/4 Cup Cardamon Cranberry Granola, plus more for sprinkling on after baked
Preheat the oven to 425ºF
Step 1
Brush cut sides of squash with 1 tsp olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Place cup side up on a baking sheet. Roast until tender (about 25-30 mins.)
Step 2
While squash is roasting, heat remaining 2 tsp olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add sausage, onion, and garlic. Cook until sausage is browned and onion is translucent, stirring to break sausage apart (approx.10 mins.)
Add kale, apples, rosemary, thyme, red pepper, and additional salt and pepper if needed.
Continue to cook until the kale turns bright green and becomes tender (approx. 5-8 minutes).
Step 3
Spoon sausage mixture into squash and top with additional granola.
Serving
Like I said above, serve these as a main or serve them on the side. But be warned, if you choose to serve it as a side, your friends and family might wish it was a main. Either way, just make sure you have reserves. With the shelf life of delicata, it never hurts to have extra around during the winter:)
ENJOY!
