Moroccan-style Stuffed Squash
Background
This Moroccan-style Stuffed Squash is one of my favourite recipes. It’s a real comfort food during the winter season - it’s healthy and hearty at the same time. It takes some time to cook but it’s really worth it! Also, most of the cooking can be done in advance so it’s a perfect dish for a laid-back dinner party (just prepare the stuffed squash and do the final baking when your guests have arrived).
Ingredients
- 1 medium acorn squash
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 250g minced lamb
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- 1.5 Tbsp harissa paste
- 1 Tbsp tomato puréee
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup bulgur wheat or rice
- 1 cup water
- 1 handful raisins or sultanas
- 2 Tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 1 Tbsp pine nuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C.
- Cut the squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Put the squash cut-side down in a baking dish and bake for 35 – 40 minutes, until tender.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Cook the minced lamb with the cinnamon, and about 1 teaspoon of salt until it changes colour. Add the harissa paste and tomato purée and stir for 1 minute.
- Remove the lamb with a slotted spoon, leaving the cooking jus in the pan. Set it aside.
- Add the onion to the pan, and cook gently for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and stir for about 30 seconds. Stir in the bulgar wheat or rice and the water. Cover, reduce the heat and simmer for about 10-20 minutes, until tender. Rest for 5 minutes.
- Return the lamb to the pan, add the raisins, parsley and pine nuts. Mix well.
- When the squash is cooked, remove from the oven and scoop out most of the flesh. Mash this with a fork into coarse bits and combine with lamb mixture. Taste and season with salt an pepper to your liking.
- Stuff the squash shells and bake for about 15 minutes until golden.
Categories
- Meal Type: - Main - Roast - Seasonal
- Cuisines: - North African
- Occasions: - Bonfire Night - Christmas - Dinner Party - New Year - Thanksgiving
- Ingredients: - Lamb - Other Vegetables
- Health and Diet: - Combination - Dairy Free - Diabetic - Gluten Free
- Skill Levels: - Moderate
You might also like
Recent Recipes
-
Bagel with grilled tofu, courgette and beetroot
For a weekend breakfast or brunch this bagel with grilled...
Recipe by Dinna | -
Spiced chickpeas and carrot salad
This spiced chickpeas and carrot salad is ready in just...
Recipe by Wholeness | -
Double baked sweet potatoes with rice and lentils
This double baked sweet potatoes with rice and lentils is...
Recipe by Wholeness | -
Spinach pasta with butternut squash sauce
This spinach pasta with butternut squash sauce is healthy, vegan...
Recipe by Dinna |
Site Search – use quotes ” ” for an exact phrase match
Recent Posts
-
How to make kefir
The exact origin of kefir remains shrouded in mystery, but...
Post by Dinna | -
Egg muffins
Breakfast is often considered the most important meal of the...
Post by Dinna | -
Christmas Croissant
I always make Christmas Croissant on Christmas day or Boxing...
Post by Pudding Pie |