Vegan Stuffing Stuffed Acorn Squash
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 8 servings 1x
- Category: Vegan, Thanksgiving
- Cuisine: Dinner
Description
So, after a crazy year like 2020 ~ a pandemic, fires all over the world, murder hornets ~ it can be hard to slow down and think about what we’re thankful for. I can think of a whole lot of things I’m not thankful for, but, that’s not really the point of Thanksgiving, is it?
I’d love to know what you all are thankful for. I am thankful my husband still has his job because I haven’t been able to find work. I’m thankful for having a roof over our head. I’m thankful that we and our families have been healthy so far, and after having experienced a lot of loss in my life, my heart goes out to families who have lost someone to this virus. I’m thankful that there is food on our table each night because I know many people are struggling to feed their children while keeping the lights on and a roof above their heads.
I’m thankful for a lot more than all that, but I won’t bore you further. Even if you are going through hard times, are you able to find a silver lining? Something you are thankful for? It can be anything… the hugs your kids ask for (my son asks for hugs a lot and I love it!), a joke you heard someone tell, a fond memory that is getting you through the day?
Moment of gratitude aside, today we’re making a vegan dish. But don’t let that scare you off! It’s a great side dish for Thanksgiving! I know a lot of people love a yam casserole with marshmallows on top, but I am not one of those people. Personally, I find it disgusting to think about, let alone look at, let alone eat. It’s just way too much sugar and sweetness in one spot.
Instead, I like to go with the simplicity of squash with a light rubbing of brown sugar to give sweetness without it being overly sweet. Then filling it with stuffing made with celery, onions, craisins, and apples… all the flavors of fall!… the flavors compliment each other and provides a great sweet and savory dish for the dinner table.
I know I say this a lot, but this is super easy to make! Pop the squash on a rack in the oven next to or below your turkey and let it bake… give it plenty of time because the cooking time can vary depending on the size of the squash you buy. I got fairly large squash and they took about 55 minutes.
The sweetness from the squash compliments the apples and craisins in the stuffing. And whether you’re having a full out vegan or vegetarian dinner or having a traditional turkey dinner, these flavors compliment the traditions of Thanksgiving foods.
Enjoy!
Ingredients
Squash
2 acorn squash, halved & deseeded
¼ cup brown sugar
2 TB coconut oil, melted
2 tsps salt
Stuffing
1 – 12 oz bag cubed stuffing
1 small sweet onion, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1 red apple, peeled, cored, and diced
1 cup craisins
2 cups vegetable broth
4 TBs coconut oil
2 TBs sage
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400°
Place the squash cut side up on a baking tray. Evenly coat the squash with the melted coconut oil. Rub the brown sugar evenly over the exposed squash. Lightly sprinkle with salt. Place in the oven and cook until tender ~ about 45 to 55 minutes.
When there is about 15 minutes left on the squash, make the stuffing. In a large sauce pan, melt the coconut oil. Add the onions and celery and cook 3 minutes. Add the apples and sage and continue to cook, stirring often, until the onions and apples are just starting to soften ~ about another 5 minutes. Add the vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat. Add the cubed stuffing mix and craisins and mix until just combined and the stuffing saturated. Covered and let sit for 5 minutes.
When the squash is done, remove from the oven. Scoop the stuffing into the squash.
Serve as desired!
Keywords: Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes, Stuffed Squash, Stuffed Acorn Squash, Stuffing Squash, Thanksgiving Acorn Squash Recipes
