Moroccan Stuffed Acorn Squash

It was one of those recipes that I saw on the cover of a magazine as I was standing in the checkout line... It looked super tasty but seemed way to "fancy" to re-create.  WAIT - I went home and sautéed the lamb (or beef) with some onions, garlic, spices - added a touch of spinach (actually a LOT of spinach), some raisins and then put it in a cooked acorn squash (which was microwaved - aka 10 minute meal).  This was SO DAMN TASTY...SO DAMN EASY.... and that means YOU CAN MAKE IT TOO! 

Choosing high quality grass fed beef and lamb can be a wonderful source of high biologically available protein, iron, B vitamins, and CLA (Cogugated Linoleic Acid) helpful for building cells.  Here is a great site to find where you can get local cuts near you! EatWild.Com and if you can't find a local farmer, CSA, or local butcher, then just make sure to choose 100% Grass Fed and Organic when at the store - the quality, taste and nutrition is a HELL of a lot better than the conventional stuff! 

Ok you ready to enjoy - impress - and taste some wonderful stuff?!

Moroccan Stuffed Acorn Squash

Total time: 20-30 mins         Serves: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1-2 acorn squash (depending on the size of your acorn squash - I just used 1)

• 1-2 Tbsp coconut oil/olive oil

• 1 small yellow onion (or red onion)

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 red apple, diced

• 1 lb grass-fed ground lamb or beef

• 1/2 tsp cumin

• 2 Tbsp - 1/4 cup Raisins/Currants

• 2-3 handfuls of Spinach

• salt & pepper, to taste

• 1 Tbsp Nuts of choice: pine nuts, chopped almonds, pistachios

• Optional Ingredients: 2 tablespoons fresh mint, plus more for garnish, chopped pistachios)

Instructions

1. Pre-heat oven at 400 degrees F.

2. Pierce your acorn squash with a fork and put in the microwave for about 5-7 minutes or until it is soft.  After cooking, cut your acorn squash in half from top to bottom, and scrape out the seeds with a spoon.

3. While the squash is in the microwave, chop your garlic, onion & apple to a small dice.

4. Heat a large skillet coated with oil over medium heat - add garlic and onion until translucent.

5. Add your apple and cook 2 more minutes.

6. Add lamb/beef, cumin, salt & pepper to the pan, stirring while cooking to break up the meat into pieces. 

7. Once meat is cooked, add in raisins and spinach and continue to stir until spinach has wilted.

8. Spoon meat mixture into your microwave cooked squash and put in the oven for 10 minutes  (squash should be warm and tender once you remove from the oven.)