Squash Bowls

Don’t get me wrong; breadbowls are fantastic.  A squash bowl will not hug you internally quite like a breadbowl.  Then again, you will be able to move around better after your meal if you eat a squash bowl.  Life is full of choices … 

The squash bowl is fairly simple, conceptually.  Pick a squash type. Cut it in half.  Remove the seeds.  Roast it.  Cool it.  Stuff it with already cooked food.  Reheat.  Eat. Very few dishes. 

Just make sure you pre-cook your squash.  There is no way any stuffing survives the time the squash needs to get soft.  To be efficient, I like to roast several squash at the same time, and use the rest later in the week.  This trick also helps some of their water to evaporate, concentrating their flavor.  

Consider this meal as a go-to for times when you need to cook a day or two ahead.  You can fill your roasted squash and then refrigerate them (covered) until you need them.  They travel fairly well, too, if you pack them creatively so they don’t roll around.  

Stuffing suggestions- use whatever you have, from these categories:

-a protein (meat or beans)

-celery and onion (you always have some from your @Misfits Market Box)

-some spice/flavor (chili, a fresh herb, curry, but only 1.  Don’t get too complicated.)

-something for color (red pepper, red apple, carrots, tomatoes).   

-optional: a starch (rice, barley, orzo).  

Mix your stuffing all together and then put it in your squash.  You want those flavors to get to know one another.  Don’t smoosh it down.  

Reheat at 350 F for 25ish minutes, with a little liquid in the bottom of the pan.  If you are fancy, add a contrasting color garnish before serving. 

A few pointers:

-if you are using a spaghetti squash, scrape out the strands of cooked squash, and put them in a bowl.  Mix in your stuffing, and then restuff your squash.  It’s just too much scraping otherwise.

-I like acorn squash bowls the best; they’re naturally cute.  You can eat the skin, too, though I don’t. 

-Love and Lemons has some great directions for oven roasting spaghetti squash. https://www.loveandlemons.com/how-to-cook-spaghetti-squash/

-My current favorite: Sausage and Apple stuffed Acorn Squash.  Here’s a recipe by Tasty: 

https://tasty.co/recipe/sausage-and-apple-stuffed-acorn-squash