As a longtime vegetarian (now going on ten years!), finding something to eat has never been an issue. But come Thanksgiving, I crave a special main entrée that I can present to a table of friends. Sure, I love classic harvest dishes such as mashed potatoes, beans and stuffing. But the true excitement of the holiday comes from the center-of-the-table dish that all can admire.
This year I’m opting for acorn squash, a festive winter squash, striped with flashes of dark green and orange, that looks beautiful on a Thanksgiving table. I plan to halve and roast the squash until it’s fork-tender. Then, I’ll stuff the insides with a mixture of cooked quinoa, almonds and craisins. Maybe I’ll sprinkle goat cheese over the filling and then place the stuffed squash back into the oven until the cheese gets golden and verges on melting. I’ll garnish this beautiful, simple dish with a shower of fresh parsley, and then I’ll serve it to the people I love. It’s a scene so lovely, I’m sure no one will miss the meat!
–Jenna Blumenfeld, senior food editor
Visit deliciousliving.com/JennaSnacks for Jenna’s favorite ways to cook with acorn squash.
