Moroccan Chickpea-Stuffed Acorn Squash



Total Time: 1 hr 5 min
Prep: 15 min
Cook: 50 min
Serves: 6
Easy


Here’s a super side dish with a Moroccan twist for roasted poultry, beef, pork, or lamb. The acorn squash is stuffed with a sautéed and spiced mix of onions and chickpeas that gets an added dose of sweetness and crunch, respectively, from raisins and sliced toasted almonds. Acorn squash has a buttery texture and sweet, orange-yellow flesh. When selecting acorn squash, look for ones that are heavy for their size with a firm skin that is free of blemishes or soft spots. To help prevent the squash from tipping over once filled, cut a small sliver off the round bottom of each half so it sits level on the pan. Garnish with fresh lemon zest, if desired.
Ingredients:
  • 4 sprays cooking spray
  • 3 medium uncooked acorn squash
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1 medium uncooked onions, chopped (1 ½ cups)
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • ¾ tsp ground cumin, divided
  • ½ tsp table salt, divided
  • ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon
  • 15 oz chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • ¼ cup raisins, chopped
  • ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp sliced almonds, toasted

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat baking sheet with nonstick spray. Slice squash in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds. Arrange squash, cut- side down, on a prepared pan, and bake until tender, 45 to 50 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until golden, 7 to 8 minutes.
  3. Stir in garlic, 1⁄2 tsp cumin, 1⁄4 tsp salt, and cinnamon and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in chickpeas, raisins, and 1⁄4 cup water and cook, stirring, until chickpeas are heated through and raisins are soft, about 2 minutes.
  4. Turn squash cut-side up and sprinkle with remaining 1⁄4 tsp cumin and 1⁄4 tsp salt.
  5. Stir cilantro and lemon juice into chickpea stuffing and divide among squash halves. Sprinkle each with 1 tsp almonds. Serve hot.
  6. Serving Size: 1 squash half with filling
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