Stuffed Acorn Squash

I'm forever trying new recipes.  Our whole family loves squash.  I would sound like Forest Gump naming all of the types of squash we like.  Usually, I make large squash with Smart Balance, sauteed onions, pepper, toasted nuts, and *sometimes* maple syrup or brown sugar.  It's not something I think of as a savory dish.  I found a recipe from Alton Brown, and I tweaked it.  It's definitely savory, but it's a very healthy meal with lots of depth and flavor.  I know that not everyone's children will eat the things our kids do, but I highly encourage you to let them choose from a healthy list of items to "toss" into this one.  When they are involved in making the choices, they're more likely to at least try a few bites.

Stuffed Acorn Squash

Adapted from recipe by Alton Brown

Prep Time:25 min                Cook Time:1 hr 15 min      Level:Easy            Serves: 4 servings.

Ingredients:

•2 small acorn squash, 1 to 1 1/4 pounds each

•2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 2 pieces

•1 andouille sausage, diced

•1 tablespoon olive oil

•1/4 cup chopped onion

•1/4 cup chopped celery

•1/4 cup chopped carrot

•1/2 cup white wine

•1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa (with chicken broth)

•1 (10-ounce) package fresh spinach, steamed, drained and chopped

•1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

•Generous pinch kosher salt

•Freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Cut 1-inch off the top of each acorn squash and scoop out the seeds. If necessary in order for the squash to sit upright, cut off a small portion of the bottom. Put 1 of the 4 pieces of butter in the cavity of each squash. Set squash on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Set aside.

In a large saute pan over medium heat, add the olive oil and saute the onion, celery, and carrot until they begin to soften, approximately 7 to 10 minutes. Deglaze the pan with the white wine.

Add the pork to the pan along with the cooked quinoa, spinach, salt and pepper, to taste. Stirring constantly, heat mixture thoroughly, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat. Divide the mixture evenly among the squash, top each squash with its lid and bake for 1 hour or until the squash is tender. Serve immediately.