Delight in the savoury flavours of Wild Rice & Mushroom Stuffed Acorn Squash, a comforting dish perfect for chilly evenings. This recipe features tender roasted acorn squash halves filled with a hearty mixture of wild rice, sautéed mushrooms, shallots, and celery, all enhanced with a hint of thyme and fresh parsley. Chopped toasted walnuts add a delightful crunch, and a sprinkling of fresh grated Parmesan cheese tops it off, creating a beautifully golden and bubbly finish. This dish is not only delicious but also a visually appealing centrepiece for any meal.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium-sized acorn squash
• 4 Tablespoons Ultra-Premium olive oil
• 8 oz. mushrooms, sliced
• 1 large shallot, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 ¼ cups wild rice, uncooked
• ½ cup toasted walnuts, chopped
• ½ teaspoon fresh or dried thyme
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon Garlic Infused Olive Oil
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• Fresh ground pepper to taste
• ½ cup fresh grated Parmesan (optional)

Directions

Acorn Squash

To bake the acorn squash, preheat your oven to 400ºF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut each acorn squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds/strings. Rub the cut sides with 1 tablespoon of garlic olive oil. Season each half with salt and pepper.

Lay them cut side down on the baking sheet and roast for about 30-40 minutes, or until a fork easily pierces through the centre. Remove the squash from the oven and allow it to cool on the baking sheet for 15 minutes before handling. 

Wild Rice and Mushrooms

Prepare the stuffing while the acorn squash is in the oven.

Sauté the onion and celery in a saucepan with a bit of olive oil oil, just until they begin to change colour and texture. About 5 minutes.

Add the broth, wild rice, and thyme to the pot.  Cover and bring to a simmer.  Lower the heat and simmer for 40-45 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked. If the rice is still firm after cooking, add 1-2 Tablespoons broth and cook slightly longer.

While the rice cooks, add a bit of oil to the bottom of a skillet and sauté the mushrooms until they are tender. About 10-15 minutes.

Add the cooked mushrooms, parsley and walnuts into the pot with the fully cooked wild rice and mix to incorporate well. Check and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if desired. 

Stuff each acorn squash half with the wild rice mixture stuffed side up, top with cheese and bake for an additional 8-10 minutes until the tops are bubbly and golden brown.