Frozen Berry Stuffed Acorn Squash

Doesn't the stuffed squash look beautiful?

This frozen berry stuffed acorn squash was delicious. Of course we didn't eat the berries when they were frozen; it's just that I buy the frozen ones. I hate to say good-bye to summer, but fall is starting to blossom all around us. I haven't noticed the trees turning colors, but the fall crops are abundant at the local farms.

The local farms are overflowing with winter squashes,

bright orange pumpkins, and all kinds of interesting looking gourds.

There are two farms within a mile of my house. Shady Brook is a mile away. Charlann Farm is at my corner. That is where I found this large acorn squash for just $1.50.

This is the peach and frozen berry compote that I had baked the other day.

( I used a bag of frozen berries from Trader Joe's. My favorite is the berry and cherry mixture.

Wanting to cook the squash quickly, I decided to steam it in a little steaming basket.

Place the steaming basket in a large deep pot with a lid ( like a spaghetti pot) I cut the acorn squash in two, removed the seeds. I then placed the two halves in the steamer basket ( it wasn't balanced but doesn't matter), placed the basket and squash in a large pot with a lid, added some water, ( enough to cover just up to the bottom of the steamer, turned on the flame, covered the pot, and let the squash steam on medium high for about 15 minutes.( you might need to add water as it evaporates to keep it from burning )

When the squash was ready ( it became soft, but not too soft), I removed it from the pot. I let it cool for about 15 minutes and then stuffed it with some of my fresh peach and berry compote. I added a few chopped walnuts to the mixture for a little crunch. We ( hubby and I) really enjoyed the sweetness of the compote in the bland squash. Acorn is not a particularly a sweet squash.

This squash makes an elegant side dish. I think it would be perfect for a vegetarian Thanksgiving meal. For a little heartier dish, you could mix in some cooked quinoa with the compote.

Ingredients:

2 large acorn squash, cut in half, steamed, and seeds removed.

Filling for squash

..Ingredients:

4 peaches, washed , peeled , and sliced ( you could use frozen)

1/2 bag of frozen berry mixture.

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients together except the walnuts. Put into a medium saucepan and cook over a low heat for 10 minutes. Stirring frequently.. Allow to cool , add in walnuts and mix, and spoon into the cavity of 3-4 acorn squash halves.

Amazon sells these little steaming baskets. They are great because you can steam anything and everything in them in much less time than it takes to bake. I make spaghetti squash, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, etc. in the little basket. It works so great and you don't lose nutrients by boiling away the vegetables.

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