It’s Squash season here in Ontario and I was so excited when I arrived at the farm to see that these beautiful buttercup squash were one of the features in our family shares! These are one of the sweetest varieties of winter squash. The days are getting chillier and we are back to soups and comfort foods. I have taken these sweet and delicious Acorns and have given them a Greek twist. They were roasted and stuffed with a very popular Greek rice dish that I grew up with, Spanakorizo. Its a creamy rice with spinach and a nostalgic childhood dish. They make for a wonderful vegetarian meal or you can add sausage for a heartier protein dish. 

Enjoy xox

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Roasted Acorn Squash Stuffed with Spanakorizo

Total Time1 hour hr

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: Greek

Yield: 4

Materials

• 2 small acorn squash cut in half lengthwise, seeds removed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
• ​

Spanakorizo

• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 medium sweet onion finely diced
• 1 bunch spinach roughly chopped
• 3 cup vegetable stock
• 11/2 cup long grain rice rinsed
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
• 4 tbsp goat and sheep milk feta crumbled
• Toasted Pine Nuts Optional or you can substitute for walnuts or hazlenuts

Instructions

• Preheat oven 375F line baking sheet with parchment paper. Season squash with oil, salt and pepper. Place on baking sheet cut side up and roast for 35 to 40 minutes until squash has softened. Gently scoop up softened squash ensuring you leave squash cups in tacked for stuffing.
• To make rice, in a large sauce pan, heat oil over medium heat.
• Add onions and sauté for 5-6 minutes until soften and golden.
• Stir in roasted squash, spinach and add vegetable stock.
• Bring to a boil and add rice. Reduce heat to low, cover & cook for 12-15
• minutes until liquid has been reduced but still slightly creamy.
• Turn off heat, remove lid and cover top of pan with a tea towel. Place lid back on top of tea towel and let stand for 5-7 minutes for rice to slightly cool.
• Fluff with fork and season with salt and pepper. Divide rice amongst squash halves and top each with a tbsp of feta. place in oven on broil and bake for a few minutes until feta has slightly melted. Garnish with Pine nuts or nuts of your choice if using.