Roasted Squash Stuffed with Roasted Vegetables
3 small to medium acorn squash
2 tablespoons olive oil
kosher salt
2 pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed and washed (if very large, slice in half)
2 red bell peppers, halved, seeds and ribs removed, sliced into bite-sized strips
2 small red onions, peeled, root ends cut off, and each cut into 8 wedges, layers separated
1 butternut squash (2½ – 3 pounds) peeled, halved lengthwise, seeds and strings scooped out, cut into ¾-inch cubes
1 bunch curly kale, washed, tough stems removed, torn into bite sized pieces
Olive oil for brushing vegetables (about ½ cup total)
Kosher salt for seasoning vegetables
Fresh ground black pepper
4 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
HOW TO MAKE ROASTED SQUASH STUFFED WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES:
This recipe is prepared stages: first roast the squash halves and all the other vegetables. Next stuff the squash halves with vegetables and roast until heated through.
Roast the Squash Halves: Brush the insides of the squash halves with olive oil, season them with salt and pepper, and roast them in a 400ºF for an hour, until tender.
Roast the Vegetables: Toss the butternut squash, Brussels sprouts and peppers – with olive oil salt and pepper and arrange them in a single layer on two rimmed baking sheets. Roast them in a 400ºF oven for 30 minutes.
Roast the Kale: Rub kale with a little olive oil and salt, spread it out on a baking sheet and roast for 15-20 minutes, just enough time for the leaves to get tender and a bit crisp on the edges.
Assemble The Dish: Toss the roasted vegetables with sweet and tangy pomegranate molasses and pile them into the roasted squash halves. Set the stuffed roasted squash halves on a baking tray, heat them in the oven, done!
INGREDIENTS
For the Squash
3 small to medium acorn squash (substitute carnival or sweet dumpling squash)
2 tablespoons olive oil
kosher salt
For The Roasted vegetables
2 pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed (if very large, slice in half)
2 red bell peppers, halved, seeds and ribs removed, sliced into bite-sized strips
2 small red onions, peeled, root ends cut off, and each cut into 8 wedges, layers separated
1 butternut squash (2½ – 3 pounds) peeled, halved lengthwise, seeds and strings scooped out, cut into ¾-inch cubes
1 bunch curly kale, washed, tough stems removed, torn into bite sized pieces
Olive oil for brushing vegetables (about 1/2 cup total)
Kosher salt for seasoning vegetables
Fresh ground black pepper
4 tablespoons pomegranate molasses – you can find this at specialty food stores, Middle Eastern Grocers, Whole Foods Market, and sometimes at Trader Joe’s. If you can’t find it, you can substitute 3½ tablespoons good quality balsamic vinegar whisked with a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup.
INSTRUCTIONS
Prepare the acorn squash: Preheat oven to 400ºF. Cut each squash in half crosswise and cut a thin slice off each pointy end, if need be, to create a stable base for each half. Scrape out seeds and strings using a spoon. Place squash halves skin side down on a roasting pan. Pour 1/8 of an inch of water in the bottom of the pan to prevent burning. Brush insides and tops of squash generously with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, to taste. Roast for an hour in the middle of the oven, until tender.
Roast The Vegetables: While the squash are roasting prepare the rest of the vegetables. You will need a large bowl and two large, shallow roasting pans or jellyroll pans. Put Brussels sprouts in the bowl and toss with 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil and ½ teaspoon salt. Spread into a single layer on a roasting pan. Add butternut squash cubes to the bowl with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt and toss to coat. Spread out in a single layer on the other pan. Add onions and peppers to the bowl and toss with 2 tablespoons oil and ½ teaspoon salt. Make some room for onions and peppers at one end of each pan. Put trays in the top and middles shelves of the oven. Roast for 15 minutes. Toss veggies and switch the positions of the trays. Roast for 15 minutes more or until veggies are cooked through – peppers, onions and Brussels will start to brown.
Toss the kale leaves in the large bowl with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Put kale onto a roasting pan and cook in the center of the oven for 15-20 minutes until tender and crisp on the edges.
At this point, you can store all the roasted veggies and the squash halves in air tight containers in the fridge for a day. Bring to room temperature before continuing.
Assemble the dish Preheat oven to 350ºF. Place squash haves skin side down on a roasting pan. Drizzle 1/2 teaspoon pomegranate molasses over the inside of each squash half. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Toss all the vegetables gently in a large bowl with 3 tablespoons of pomegranate molasses and salt and pepper, to taste. Mound the roasted vegetables inside each half, allowing the extra veggies to fall onto the tray. Heat for 15-25 minutes, until warmed through. Serve squash with extra veggies mounded on top. Enjoy!
