Italian Stuffed Delicata Squash

Take advantage of peak squash season. Try this Italian Stuffed Delicata Squash recipe for a simple dinner solution.
Italian Stuffed Delicata Squash via RDelicious Kitchen @RD_Kitchen
Delicata squash is available in the fall and early winter months. I don’t think delicata squash gets the attention it deserves this time of year. It’s less intimidating than a giant butternut and spaghetti squash, plus it’s easier to work with.
Italian Stuffed Delicata Squash via RDelicious Kitchen @RD_Kitchen
Cutting through a raw delicata squash is a lot easier, as it has a softer skin and flesh. They are much smaller than other squash varieties and have a perfect center for stuffing. Delicata squash is also delicious simply sliced and roasted. This squash is also great when just cooking for 1 or 2. It’s a perfect size!
Italian Stuffed Delicata Squash via RDelicious Kitchen @RD_Kitchen
Not sure what kind of squash to use for recipes?

Learn the best cooking methods for the different varieties of squash:

Acorn
Good for: Roasting. Peeling is difficult, so cut it in half or slice (the skin is edible).
Butternut
Great for: Roasting and soups.
Delicata
Great for: Roasting and stuffing.
Hubbard
Great for: Pie filling, purees, and mashes.
Kabocha
Great for: Soups.
Pumpkin
Great for: Pies, quick breads, pancakes, risottos. Roast or steam, puree, then add to a recipe.
Spaghetti
Great for: Roasting. Scrape out the strands and dress with butter or pasta sauce.
Italian Stuffed Delicata Squash via RDelicious Kitchen @RD_Kitchen
If you’re an Italian girl like me, you can make this stuffing in your sleep. You can’t go wrong with this flavor combination. What is unique about this stuffing, is it using the “blend trend“.

The blend is a cooking technique that uses finely chopped mushrooms so that they’re the consistency of ground meat, combining the two and using them together to complete classic recipes is a simple way to make meals delicious and nutritious.
Italian Stuffed Delicata Squash via RDelicious Kitchen @RD_Kitchen
The delicata squash has a sweet note, that adds a unique taste to this savory filling.

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italian stuffed delicata squash on a white plate

Italian Stuffed Delicata Squash

  • Author: Chef Julie Harrington, RD
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 15
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Category: dinner

Description

Take advantage of peak squash season. Try this Italian Stuffed Delicata Squash recipe for a simple dinner solution.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 delicata squashes, sliced vertically and deseeded
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup mushrooms, finely diced
  • 1/2 lb. lean ground turkey
  • 1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes, seasoned with basil, garlic, and oregano
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Place delicata squash flesh side down on the baking sheet. Roast for 15 minutes.
  3. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Cook onion and garlic until onion begins to turn translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook until tender.
  4. Add ground turkey and cook until no longer pink, breaking up turkey into small pieces. Drain any excess juices, if needed.
  5. Add diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and spinach. Cook until spinach has wilted and juices have reduced by half. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  6. Remove delicata squash from the oven flipping the squash so flesh side is facing up. Fill the squash wells with Italian turkey filling.
  7. Place back in the oven for 10-15 minutes until squash is fork tender and flavors have soaked into the squash.
  8. Remove from oven and enjoy!

Keywords: squash, delicata squash, turkey

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Chef Julie Harrington, RD - Culinary Nutrition Consultant of chefjulierd.com

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Warm Kale Salad with Delicata Squash and Pomegranate

When you’re looking for a switch from the fall favorite butternut squash, try a new variety like a delicata squash. Start with this Warm Kale Salad with Delicata Squash and Pomegranate that just screams fall!

Warm Kale Salad with Delicata Squash and Pomegranate via RDelicious Kitchen @rdkitchen
Butternut squash and spaghetti squash are very popular this time of year but can be intimidating. Sometimes they are a little hard to cut and peel. There are some really great how-to videos to help, but if you are looking for a squash that is a little easier to work with, try delicata squash!
Delicata squash has a thinner skin, plus the flesh in a little softer, making it much easier to cut through. No need to even peel the skin, it will crisp up when roasted.
Warm Kale Salad with Delicata Squash and Pomegranate via RDelicious Kitchen @rdkitchen
All squashes provide vitamin A and vitamin C, some of the B vitamins and are a good source of fiber. One cup of cooked squash contains about 100 calories. Deep-colored squashes offer the most beta-carotene.
Some squashes can be so large in size. When you are only cooking for 1 or 2 it can be a tad overwhelming and you can be eating squash for breakfast, lunch, and dinner just to not be wasteful. Delicata squash is smaller in size, which can be helpful.
Warm Kale Salad with Delicata Squash and Pomegranate via RDelicious Kitchen @rdkitchen

I’m all about the less mess in the kitchen. Fewer pots and pans I have to wash, I am a happier girl. I was going to saute the kale in a pan to warm and wilt, but no need! Just add the kale right on top of the squash roasted during the last few minutes of cooking. This recipe is served warm, but it was just as delicious the next day as leftovers for lunch.

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Warm Kale Salad with Delicata Squash and Pomegranate on a white plate

Warm Kale Salad with Delicata Squash and Pomegranate

  • Author: Chef Julie Harrington, RD
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 25
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 1x
  • Category: Salad

Description

When you’re looking for a switch from the fall favorite butternut squash, try a new variety like a delicata squash. Start with this Warm Kale Salad with Delicata Squash and Pomegranate that just screams fall!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large bunch (about 6 cups) kale
  • 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
  • 1 tbsp pomegranate juice
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp dijon mustard
  • 1/2 shallot, minced
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 small delicata squash
  • 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
  • 1/4 cup pecans, toasted

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Remove kale from stems, rinse, and pat dry.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together 1 tbsp olive oil, pomegranate juice, balsamic vinegar, & dijon mustard. Stir in minced shallot. Season with salt and pepper. Add kale to the bowl, and massage kale leaves. Set aside.
  4. Cut the delicata squash lengthwise, scoop out seeds, then slice in 1/4 inch slices horizontally. Place on a baking sheet in an even layer. Drizzle with the remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes, turning halfway through until browned and fork tender.
  5. The last 3 minutes, place kale directly on top of the squash and drizzle any remaining dressing. Cook to just let the kale wilt, and warm through.
  6. Toss kale and squash in a large bowl. Top with pomegranate seeds and pecans.
  7. Serve warm.

Keywords: delicata squash, kale, fall, salad

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Chef Julie Harrington, RD - Culinary Nutrition Consultant of chefjulierd.com