Apple Cider Farro Stuffed Acorn Squash
Take your holiday dinner to the next level with these delicious apple-cider infused farro stuffed acorn squash.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
Acorn Squash
- 2 acorn squash
- 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- black pepper, to taste
- salt, to taste
Apple Cider Farro Stuffing
- 1 c farro
- 2¼ c apple cider
- 1¼ c water
- 1 lb sweet Italian chicken sausage
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- 3 celery ribs, diced
- 1 tsp garlic (about 1 clove)
- ½ tsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 c kale, chopped
- 1 tsp avocado oil
- ¼ tsp ground thyme
Instructions
Acorn Squash
- Heat oven to 400°F.
- Cut ends off squash. Cut squash in half vertically and de-seed. Rub the inside of the squash with 1 tsp olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Cook squash for approximately 20 to 25 minutes, or until soft and fork moves through the squash easily.
Apple Cider Farro Stuffing
- Combine farro, 2c apple cider and 1c water in a medium sauce pan. Heat uncovered to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook covered until the liquid is absorbed, approximately 30 to 35 minutes, stirring regularly to prevent the farro from sticking to the pan. If the farro is still tough, add equal parts cider and water ¼c at a time until the farro is tender. Remove from heat and set aside in a medium bowl.
- Cook chicken sausage in a medium frying pan. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and add to the bowl with the farro.
- Add ½ tsp olive oil. Cook onion, garlic, and celery. Add to bowl with farro and sausage once cooked.
- Wipe the frying pan down with a paper towel. add 1tsp avocado oil and add kale. Cook until kale begins to crisp and decrease in size. Remove and add to the bowl with the farro and sausage. Stir until all ingredients are well mixed.
- Stuff squash with farro stuffing and serve.
Notes
Cooking Tips:
- Cooking time for farro can differ considerably. Package directions often say it should take 2.5c liquid per 1c farro and roughly 15 to 20 minutes to cook. However, I often find that it takes more liquid and 10 to 15 minutes longer to cook before the farro is tender.