Ingredients
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cooking spray
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2 lbs acorn squash (2 @ 1 lb each)
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2 tablespoons honey
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1/2 cup quinoa (uncooked)
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1/3 cup natural almonds (raw)
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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1 medium onion, diced
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
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1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
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1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
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1/3 cup dried apricot, chopped
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1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
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2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
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salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Cut the squash in half lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds. Brush the cut side of each squash with 1/2 teaspoon honey; place squash, cut side down, onto the baking sheet, and bake for 40 minutes, or until tender.
- Meanwhile, put the quinoa and 1 c water into a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and cover; cook until all the water is absorbed, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- In a dry medium-size skillet, toast the nuts over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, three to five minutes. Allow them to cool, then chop them.
- Heat the oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, and cook until is softened and beginning to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, and cook for 30 seconds more. Stir in the cumin, cinnamon and ginger. Remove the skillet from the heat, and stir in the lemon juice.
- Add the onion mixture to the cooked quinoa, stirring until well combined. Stir in the almonds, apricots, parsley and mint; season with salt and pepper. To serve, place a squash half on a serving plate then fill each piece of squash with one quarter of the quinoa mixture. Drizzle each with 1 teaspoon of honey, and serve.