Tofu Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipes

SWEET-AND-SPICY ROASTED TOFU AND SQUASH

Steps:

• Drain tofu and slice into 1/2-inch-thick slabs. Cut each slab in half. Arrange tofu on a large baking sheet or several plates lined with several layers of paper towels. Place another layer of paper towels on top and weigh down tofu with another baking sheet or more plates topped with a heavy cookbook or cans. Let stand for 20 minutes. Pat tofu dry.
• While tofu drains, heat oven to 425 degrees. Cut squash into 1/2-inch-thick half-moons. Cut each slice in half again.
• In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sriracha and a pinch of salt. Whisk in peanut oil. Spoon 3 tablespoons of the mixture into a separate bowl and reserve. Whisk honey into the original mixture. Spread squash out on a large baking sheet and pour honey-soy mixture over it. Sprinkle squash lightly with salt and pepper and toss well. Roast until bottoms are golden brown, about 20 minutes. Flip and roast until uniformly golden and soft, about 10 minutes more. Transfer squash to a large bowl.
• Adjust the heat to broil and position a rack just below the heating element. Toss tofu with reserved soy mixture and arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet (you can use the same one you used for the squash). Cook until crispy and golden, about 2 minutes per side. Toss hot tofu with squash, sesame seeds and celery leaves, adding more soy sauce if you like.

VEGAN STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 400F (200C).
• Divide the oil over the 4 squash halves and use your fingers or a brush to spread the oil over the squash flesh. Bake cut side facing down on a baking pan for 25 - 35 minutes until the squash is fork-tender.
• Heat the oil in a large high sided pan or pot over medium-high heat. When hot add the onions and garlic and sauté until the onions turn translucent and just begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the quinoa and vegetable broth and cover with a lid. Bring to a simmer and continue to simmer for 10 - 15 minutes until the vegetable broth is absorbed and the quinoa is cooked.
• Once the quinoa is cooked, stir in all of the remaining ingredients, the nuts or seeds, cranberries, thyme, sage, pepper, cinnamon, and add salt to taste. I found the vegetable broth I used had enough salt so I did not need extra, but taste your dish and add more if needed. Remove from heat.
• Divide the quinoa mixture evenly among the acorn squash halves, packing it into the well of the squash. You may have extra quinoa leftover. Serve hot, and garnish with more fresh thyme or sage as desired. See notes for making this dish ahead of time.

VEGAN STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Place the uncut acorn squash in the oven directly on the center rack. Turn on the oven to preheat to 400°F. Allow the squash to remain in the oven while it heats up. Once the oven reaches 400°, carefully remove the squash using oven mitts. Allow the squash to rest until they are cool enough to handle. Then slice each squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Discard the seeds (or save for roasting later.)
• Place the squash on a baking sheet (line with parchment paper for easier cleanup) cut side down. Bake the squash for 40 minutes until the squash are nearly tender when pierced with a fork. Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Carefully turn the squash halves over so they are cup side up.
• Meanwhile, prepare the quinoa. First rinse the quinoa with cold water in a fine mesh strainer. Add the quinoa and 1 cup of water to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat and cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the water has been absorbed.Or to prepare in an Instant Pot pressure cooker, place the rinsed quinoa and ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons water in the liner. Close and lock the lid. Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally.Set aside the cooked quinoa.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the onion and saute until soft and slightly translucent.
• Add the carrots and celery and saute until soft.
• Then add the garlic and saute for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
• Next add the cooked quinoa, chickpeas, tomatoes, lemon juice, and thyme and stir to combine.
• Cook until all the ingredients are heated through and the tomatoes are soft, stirring occasionally.
• Taste and add salt and pepper, as needed.
• Spoon the quinoa mixture into the squash halves. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until the squash are tender.

CURRIED STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Wrap each squash half with plastic wrap.
• Place wrapped squash, cut side down, in microwave; cook on high until squash is tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Leave squash wrapped while preparing filling.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir red bell pepper, radish, leek, celery, jalapeno pepper, and garlic in the hot oil until softened, about 10 minutes. Add vegetable stock and rice; stir to combine. Cover and simmer until broth is absorbed and rice is tender, about 45 minutes.
• Sprinkle greens into rice mixture; cover and simmer until greens are wilted, about 5 minutes. Add curry powder, curry paste, and walnuts to rice mixture; stir to combine.
• Unwrap squash and set halves, cut sides up, into 4 soup bowls. Spoon about 2 tablespoons feta cheese into each squash half. Add a large scoop of rice mixture atop feta layer. Top rice mixture layer with any leftover feta.

TOFU-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Put the squash in a large microwave-safe bowl. Add 1 tablespoon dill, a splash of water, and salt and pepper to taste. Cover with plastic wrap, pierce the plastic and microwave until tender, 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic; cook, stirring, until soft, 3 minutes. Stir in the tofu and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook, undisturbed, 2 minutes, then cook, stirring, until browned, 3 more minutes.
• Push the tofu and onion to one side of the pan; add half of the tomatoes to the other side and season with salt. Cook, stirring the tomatoes, 3 minutes, then stir into the tofu and onion mixture. Add half of the spinach and a splash of water and stir until the spinach wilts. Stir in 1 tablespoon parmesan and 1 teaspoon lemon juice.
• Toss the pitas, the remaining spinach, tomatoes, 3 tablespoons dill, 1 tablespoon parmesan, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons lemon juice, and salt to taste in a bowl. Spoon the tofu mixture into the squash. Serve with the salad.