Baked Delicata Squash with Quinoa and Pumpkin Seed Stuffing

This delicious recipe is ideal for a fall dinner or a Thanksgiving feast. It's also a fantastic recipe for men's health and to help prevent prostate problems. The beta carotene in the squash is great for prostate health and so is the manganese in quinoa. Pumpkin seeds provide zinc, crucial for prostate health, and are also known for helping prevent enlargement of the prostate, while cranberries help with urinary tract symptoms that can result from prostate issues.

Source: The Flexitarian Table

Serves 8

Ingredients

2 cups quinoa
4 tablespoons ghee or olive oil
Salt
1/2 cup diced carrots
1/2 cup diced celery
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup dried currants
1/3 cup toasted pumpkin seeds
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
freshly ground black pepper
4 medium Delicata squash, halved lengthwise, seeds and membranes removed
extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing

Method

  1. Adjust a rack to the middle shelf of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.

  2. Simmer the quinoa in 4 cups of water until fluffy, 15 to 20 minutes.

  3. While the quinoa cooks, melt the ghee or oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the carrots, celery, ginger, and sage and ½ tsp salt.

  4. Cover the pan and simmer until the vegetables are tender, 5 to 7 minutes (add a tablespoon of water, if necessary, to prevent scorching.)

  5. In a large bowl, toss together the quinoa and vegetables. Stir in the dried fruit, pumpkin seeds, nutmeg, and cinnamon, season with salt and pepper.

  6. Brush the skin of the squash lightly with oil. Place the squash, cut side down, in a baking pan large enough to hold them in a snug single layer.

  7. Pour ½-inch of boiling water into the pan and bake for 20 minutes (you want the squash to have softened slightly, but not completely). Transfer the squash to a plate and let rest until cool enough to handle.

  8. Stuff the squash halves with the quinoa mixture, return them, stuffing-up, to the pan, and bake until the flesh can be easily pierced with the tip of a paring knife, 20 to 30 minutes.

Alakananda Ma M.B., B.S. (Lond.) is an Ayurvedic Doctor (NAMA) and graduate of a top London medical school. She is co-founder of Alandi Ayurveda Clinic and Alandi Ayurveda Gurukula in Boulder Colorado, as well as a spiritual mother, teacher, flower essence maker and storyteller. Alakananda is a well known and highly respected practitioner in the Ayurveda community both nationally and internationally.

Enliven your holistic health! Visit Alakananda Ma in Alandi Ashram’s ayurvedic clinic to support the overall rejuvenation of your body, mind, and spirit. In-person and virtual appointments available. Book now!