Name: Mini squash stuffed with spiced mince
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 4 mini squash; For the filling:; 2 Tbsp olive oil; 1 onion; 1 clove of garlic; 1 red or yellow pepper; 1 carrot; 1 tsp ground coriander; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1 Tbsp tomato purée; 1 tsp chipotle paste (or more to taste); 2 tomatoes chopped; 200g vegan mince; 1 cup kale or spinach; Salt and pepper; Fresh coriander leaves

Mini squash stuffed with spiced mince

28 Oct 2022

by Dinna

Prep Time

5 minutes

Cook Time

25 minutes

Total Time

30 minutes

Background

This Mini squash stuffed with spiced mince is an ideal savory party food for Halloween and other festivities - I made it vegan, but you can use minced meat (pork, beef, lamb, turkey), but in that case first fry the mince, drain and add it to the sauce at the end. You can use the vegetables to make the filling gruesome and serve it with chilli sauce for a dramatic effect.

Ingredients

4 mini squash
For the filling:
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 onion
1 clove of garlic
1 red or yellow pepper
1 carrot
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1 Tbsp tomato purée
1 tsp chipotle paste (or more to taste)
2 tomatoes chopped
200g vegan mince
1 cup kale or spinach
Salt and pepper
Fresh coriander leaves

Instructions

First make the filling.
Thinly slice the onion and garlic, chop the pepper and carrot into tiny bits.
In a saucepan heat half of the oil and gently sauté the onion and garlic. Add the carrot and red pepper pieces, stir for a minute, then add spices and dried oregano. Stir for a few seconds, then add the chipotle paste and tomato purée. Stir to coat the vegetables, then add the tomatoes enough water to just cover the vegetables. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 10-15 minutes under a lid until the veggies are tender. Add the mince and cook for another 8 minutes or so (read the instructions on the packet). Add your greens and coriander and cook for another couple of minutes. You should get a thick sauce. This can be cooled until you’re ready to bake the squash.
Cut off the tops of the squash and scoop out the seeds and the fibrous bits. Brush the cavity with the remaining oil, then season with salt and pepper. Put the squash on a baking tray and roast for about 10-15 minutes, or until the squash meat is tender.
Fill them with the mince sauce then bake for another 5-10 minutes.
Serve warm.