Happy National Acorn Squash Day! One of our favorite things about fall is the seemingly unlimited amount of squash varieties! And acorn squash is one of our favorite varieties. Acorn squash only has about 80 calories per cup, no fat, 6 grams of fiber, and 2 grams of protein that will provide along lasting energy boost! It also contains both iron and calcium and is very high in vitamins A and C. Here’s one of our favorite ways to prepare it:
Apple-Couscous Stuffed Acorn Squash:
Ingredients:
- 1 large acorn squash
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 medium apples (we like Golden Delicious)
- ½ cup raisins
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
- ½ cup uncooked couscous
- 1 cup water
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
- Slice the squash in half and remove the seeds. Place on a baking sheet.
- Drizzle with olive oil.
- Cook for about one hour, or until soft
- Peel and slice apples into ½ inch cubes.
- Place raisins in a bowl of hot water to plump them (about 10 minutes). Drain water.
- Pour water into a skillet. Add apples, raisins, couscous, cumin, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Allow the couscous to absorb the water, about 5-10 minutes. Once the couscous is cooked, remove from heat.
- Fold in the toasted pine nuts. Season with salt and pepper.
- Stuff the acorn squash halves with the couscous filling.
Nutrition Facts:
Serving Size: 234g; Servings per recipe: 2; Calories: 448; Calories from Fat: 84; Total Fat: 10g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Sodium: 13mg; Total Carbohydrate:87g; Dietary Fiber: 9g; Protein: 9g; Vitamin A: 7%; Vitamin C: 20%; Calcium: 7%; Iron: 14%
Have you had acorn squash before? How do you prepare it?
picture from whatscookinginamerica.net