Butternut Squash stuffed with Nuts and Sultana Raisins
I can’t describe to you what a show-stopper this vegan and/or vegetarian Greek recipe for stuffed whole roasted butternut squash is. It’s a great example of the variety and flavor inherent in the vegetable traditions of the Mediterranean Diet. You can play around with the filling a bit by also adding some chopped fresh spinach and even some crumbled Greek feta. You can find the garlic, dried forest mushrooms, olives, peppers, currants and herbs needed for this dish online here.
RATING
SERVES
6
PREP TIME
25 min
COOK TIME
60 min
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin Greek olive oil
- 1 large red or yellow onion chopped
- 2 large leeks trimmed and chopped
- 5 garlic cloves thinly sliced or 2 teaspoons Greek garlic paste
- 1 hot chili pepper seeded and thinly sliced
- 1/2 tsp. sea salt
- 2 cups mixed oyster button and Portobello mushrooms, chopped
- 1 cup dried forest mushrooms soaked in warm water for a half hour
- 3 roasted red peppers in brine rinsed, drained and chopped (optional)
- ½ cup chopped Kalamata olives
- 2 tablespoons dried currants
- 2 teaspoons dried Greek thyme
- 2 teaspoons dried Greek oregano
- 2 sprigs thyme stems removed
- 1 large or 2 small butternut squash
- 1 - 1 ½ cups coarse breadcrumbs lightly toasted
- Kitchen twine
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350F/170C.
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Cut squash in half lengthwise. Using a sturdy metal spoon, scrape out and discard seeds. Score the flesh inside the neck and scraping out the flesh in center and neck until each side of the squash is hollowed. Leave at least an inch of flesh around the rims so that the squash holds up when baked. Chop the squash pulp and set aside.
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In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil and cook the onion, chopped squash pulp, garlic, chili, and salt for about 5 minutes, until the onions and squash are tender. Add fresh mushrooms, and herbs. Drain the dried mushrooms, reserve liquid, and add them to the mixture. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and let cool. Mix in the toasted breadcrumbs and season with additional salt, pepper, and herbs, as desired.
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Spoon stuffing into squash cavities, packing in as much as you can fit. Place halves back together and tie tightly with kitchen twine to secure. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt. Place squash on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes. Flip, cover with foil, and bake until soft, 30 to 45 minutes longer. Slice crosswise into rounds and serve hot.
