As we approach fall this Mediterranean Stuffed Acorn Squash takes your favorite flavors and stuffs them in roasted acorn squash. Quinoa, dried cranberries, pine nuts, fresh herbs and chickpeas create a healthy, vegetarian filling. This is a wonderful plant-based meal that your family will love!    

Mediterranean Stuffed Acorn Squash with chickpeas and cranberries.
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MEDITERRANEAN STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

When fall rolls around one of my favorite things to eat is all kinds of squash. 

I love everything from butternut squash to acorn squash to delicata squash. 

Some favorite recipes I make a lot are this Curried Butternut Squash Soup, Butternut Squash Pasta, Parmesan Delicata Squash, Butternut Squash Apple Bake and this Baked Chicken Risotto with Kabocha Squash.

It is a delicious way to eat squash.

It is similar to this Mediterranean Stuffed Butternut Squash and this Mexican Stuffed Acorn Squash but using your favorite Mediterranean flavors.

The stuffing mixes together quinoa, dried cranberries, pine nuts, parsley, green onions, mint and chives along with spices, lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil. 

It is packed with flavor and is stuffed inside of the roasted acorn squash. 

Each scoop of roasted acorn squash includes a bite of that delicious Mediterranean quinoa filling. 

Mediterranean Stuffed Acorn Squash ingredients.

Recipe Ingredients

  • Acorn squash
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Za’atar & paprika
  • Quinoa
  • Dried cranberries
  • Pine nuts
  • Chickpeas
  • Scallions
  • Parsley
  • Chives
  • Mint
  • Garlic
  • Lemon Juice
Mediterranean Stuffed Acorn Squash on white plate.

How to Make Mediterranean Stuffed Acorn Squash

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Prepare the squash: Microwave the acorn squash for 2-3 minutes to soften the skin. This makes it easier to cut the squash in half.

Cut in half from the tip to the bottom stem.

Use a large spoon to scoop out the seeds and discard.

Mediterranean Stuffed Acorn Squash cut in a bowl.

Place the acorn squash on a baking sheet with the hollow whole facing up.

Use your hands or a brush and rub 1 Tablespoon of olive oil over the 4 halves of the squash.

Sprinkle sea salt and pepper along with 1/2 teaspoon of za’atar over the squash.

Mediterranean Stuffed Acorn Squash with salt and za'atar sprinkled on squash.

Flip the squash over on the baking sheet and bake for about 40-45 minutes or until the flesh is soft and the squash is tender.

While the squash is cooking cook the quinoa.

Let the quinoa cool and then add it to a large mixing bowl.

Stir in the dried cranberries, pine nuts, chickpeas, green onions, parsley, chives, mint and set aside.

Mediterranean Stuffed Acorn Squash salad in a bowl.

In a mason jar or small bowl whisk together the 1 remaining Tablespoon of olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, paprika and the remaining 1 teaspoon of za’atar.

Pour the dressing over the quinoa mixture and stir well.

Once the squash is done remove from the oven. Add a scoop of the quinoa mixture to each squash evenly distributing it among the four halves.

Mediterranean Stuffed Acorn Squash with spoon.

Tips for Making Mediterranean Stuffed Squash

  • How to Soften Acorn Squash? Before cutting the acorn squash it really helps to microwave it for around 3 minutes. This helps to soften the flesh making it easier to cut. 
  • Is the Skin Safe to Eat? If you are wondering if the skin is safe to eat once the acorn squash is soft and roasted the answer is yes, but for those who prefer it skin-free, the meat separates from the peel easily. The skin is actually very healthy and contains fiber and antioxidants. 
  • How Do I Know if an Acorn Squash is Ripe? The way to know if an acorn squash is ripe is when the squash is a dark green color. The part that was in contact with the ground changes from yellow to orange. The rind of the squash also becomes hard which is how you  know it is ripe.
  • Can I Eat the Seeds? Yes the seeds are safe to eat and are great roasted. After you have your squash open, use a spoon to scrape out the seeds. To learn how to roast the seeds check out this post.
Mediterranean Stuffed Acorn Squash on a white platter.

Ways to Modify the Stuffing in this Acorn Squash

  • Cheese: Cheese is a really nice addition to the stuffing. Some great options are goat cheese, feta cheese or Parmesan cheese.
  • Nuts: I added pine nuts to the filling which can be skipped if you don’t like them. You could also sub in pecans, silvered almonds or cashews. 
  • Vegetables: Vegetables can be a nice addition to the filling. Some that I like are cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, artichokes or roasted red peppers. 
  • Dried Fruit: I love the sweetness that dried fruit adds. Some nice options are figs, apricots, raisins or dates. 
  • Grain: I like quinoa in this filling but other great options are brown rice, wild rice, bulgur wheat, couscous, farro, sorghum or amaranth.

Mediterranean Stuffed Acorn Squash with fork.
What to Serve with Stuffed Squash

AIR FRYER COD

MOROCCAN RED LENTIL SOUP

MEDITERRANEAN BAKED TURKEY MEATBALLS

MOROCCAN CHICKEN THIGHS 

BLACK SEA BASS

MEDITERRANEAN SALMON BOWL 

LEBANESE LENTIL SOUP

GRILLED BEEF KOFTA

Mediterranean Stuffed Acorn Squash with spoon.

Mediterranean Stuffed Acorn Squash

Yield: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

As we approach fall this Mediterranean Stuffed Acorn Squash takes your favorite flavors and stuffs them in roasted acorn squash. Quinoa, dried cranberries, pine nuts, fresh herbs and chickpeas create a healthy, vegetarian filling. This is a wonderful plant-based meal that your family will love!ย 

Ingredients

  • 2 medium acorn squash, cut in half, seeds removed
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Terranean za'atar, divided
  • 1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup of pine nuts
  • 1/2 cup of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 3-4 green onions, green and white parts chopped
  • 1/4 cup of fresh flat leaf parsley
  • 1 Tablespoon chives, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

    1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
    2. Microwave the acorn squash for 2-3 minutes to soften the skin. This makes it easier to cut the squash in half.
    3. Cut in half from the tip to the bottom stem.
    4. Use a large spoon to scoop out the seeds and discard.
    5. Place the acorn squash on a baking sheet with the hollow whole facing up.
    6. Use your hands or a brush and rub 1 Tablespoon of olive oil over the 4 halves of the squash.
    7. Sprinkle sea salt and pepper along with 1/2 teaspoon of za'atar over the squash.
    8. Flip the squash over on the baking sheet and bake for about 40-45 minutes or until the flesh is soft and the squash is tender.
      While the squash is cooking cook the quinoa.
    9. Let the quinoa cool and then add it to a large mixing bowl. Stir in the dried cranberries, pine nuts, chickpeas, green onions, parsley, chives, mint and set aside.
    10. In a mason jar or small bowl whisk together the 1 remaining Tablespoon of olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, paprika and the remaining 1 teaspoon of za'atar.
    11. Pour the dressing over the quinoa mixture and stir well.
    12. Once the squash is done remove from the oven. Add a scoop of the quinoa mixture to each squash evenly distributing it among the four halves.
    13. Serve warm.

Notes

  • If you want to add feta or goat cheese you can mix that in to the quinoa mixture. You can quickly melt the cheese with the quinoa mixture by placing the stuffed acorn squash back in the oven for 5 minutes.
  • This works great with all kinds of ingredients added in like raising, figs, apricots, vegetables, mushroom or greens. I also like to sometimes use lentils.
  • Other grain options to use are bulgur, rice, couscous or wild rice.

About Julia

I'm Julia. Wife, mom to three growing boys, lover of food. Here you will find quick & easy weeknight meal ideas, kid-friendly recipes and a few sweet treats. My roots are from the Mediterranean and many of my recipes incorporate those flavors!

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