Absolutely, here’s a hearty and delicious recipe for Stuffed Butternut Squash that is sure to delight any squash lover out there! 🍽️
Stuffed Butternut Squash
Overview:
- Preparation Time: 25 minutes
- Cooking Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Calories per serving: 560.7
- Recipe Category: Vegetable
- Keywords: Low Cholesterol, Healthy, < 60 Mins
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 3 | Cooked ham |
| 2 | Tart apple |
| 1 | Brown sugar |
| 1 | Prepared mustard |
| 1/4 | Black pepper |
| 2 | Butternut squash |
Instructions:
-
Preheat Oven:
- Start by preheating your oven to a toasty 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). 🌡️
-
-
Prepare Squash:
- Grease a 15×10 baking sheet with a light touch of oil or butter. 🍯
- Carefully slice the butternut squash in half lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds to create a nice hollow space. 🍠
- Place the squash halves, cut side down, on the prepared baking sheet.
-
Initial Bake:
- Pour some hot water into the baking sheet, enough to reach about 1/2 inch in depth. This will help the squash steam and become tender. 💦
- Pop the baking sheet into the preheated oven, uncovered, and let the squash bake for a first round of 30 minutes. This step will start the cooking process and soften the squash.
-
Prepare Filling:
- While the squash is baking, let’s whip up the delicious filling! 🥄
- Grab a mixing bowl and combine the cooked ham (chopped or shredded), tart apples (peeled and diced), brown sugar, prepared mustard, and a dash of black pepper. Mix everything together until it’s nicely blended and flavorful. 🍏🥓
-
Stuff the Squash:
- After the initial 30 minutes of baking, take out the squash from the oven. 🕒
- Turn the squash halves cut side up, creating little boat-like vessels for our tasty filling. 🚤
- Fill each squash half generously with the ham and apple mixture, packing it in to make sure each bite is full of flavor. 🍽️
- To keep the squash moist and tender, cover the stem ends loosely with foil. This will prevent any drying out during the final baking phase. 🍂
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Final Bake:
- Return the stuffed squash to the oven for another 30 minutes or until the squash is fork-tender and the filling is beautifully golden and bubbly. 🌟
- Once done, carefully remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. ⏰
- Serve your Stuffed Butternut Squash hot, perhaps garnished with some fresh herbs for a pop of color and extra flavor. 🌿
Serving Suggestions:
- This Stuffed Butternut Squash makes for a lovely, comforting meal on its own, with a balance of sweet and savory flavors. 🍁
- For a complete dinner, pair it with a fresh green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette, or some steamed vegetables for added nutrition. 🥗
- It’s also a great side dish for a holiday gathering or a cozy family dinner. 🎉
Nutritional Information per Serving:
- Calories: 560.7
- Fat: 18.6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.7g
- Cholesterol: 42.3mg
- Sodium: 2898.4mg
- Carbohydrates: 82.9g
- Fiber: 18.3g
- Sugar: 25.1g
- Protein: 28g
Tips & Tricks:
- Choosing Squash: Look for butternut squash with a firm, unblemished skin. It should feel heavy for its size, indicating it’s nice and juicy inside. 🌱
- Pre-cooking Squash: The initial baking step helps soften the squash, making it easier to scoop out the flesh and stuff it. 🍴
- Variations: Feel free to get creative with the filling! Add some chopped nuts for crunch, a sprinkle of cheese for extra richness, or even some dried cranberries for a festive touch. 🎨
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the filling ahead of time and refrigerate it until you’re ready to stuff and bake the squash. This makes for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. 🍽️
This Stuffed Butternut Squash recipe is a celebration of fall flavors, with the sweetness of apples complementing the earthy squash and savory ham. It’s a dish that’s as beautiful to look at as it is delicious to eat, perfect for cozy evenings and special occasions alike. So gather your ingredients, preheat that oven, and get ready to enjoy a taste of autumn with every bite! 🍂🍎
