Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe

Whether you want a quick meal, a nutritious dinner, or a heart-healthy dessert, The Heart Healthy Plant-Based Cookbook by acclaimed chefs and health advocates, Jenneffer Pulapaka and Hari Pulapaka offers over 100 meticulously crafted recipes designed to lower blood pressure, reverse heart disease, and support cardiac recovery. Enjoy one of the recipes featured in the book, below.

Roasted Acorn Squash with Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Serves: 4

Ingredients

2 medium sized acorn squash, ends trimmed, cut in half lengthwise, and seeds scooped out
1 shallot or small red onion, sliced thinly
2 sticks celery, chopped finely
1 red bell pepper, cored, chopped finely
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
1 cup white quinoa, washed well, soaked for 1 hour in warm water
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
2 cups oranges, seeds removed
1 cup fresh tomato, chopped
2 tablespoons date syrup
½ cup walnuts, chopped coarsely
2 cups water
Black pepper, as desired

Directions

1. Place the acorn squash halves on a baking sheet and roast at 350°F for 45 minutes.
2. While the squash is roasting, roast the onion, celery, pepper, and thyme in a saucepan. Add the quinoa and water. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 25 minutes. Leave covered.
3. As the quinoa and squash are cooking, simmer the cranberries, oranges, tomatoes, and date syrup for 15 minutes. Check the acidity and add more date syrup if desired. Blend the sauce.
4. Pack a layer of cooked quinoa inside the roasted squash. Scoop out some squash for a deeper pocket. Add the scooped squash into the quinoa mixture.
5. Drizzle the cranberry sauce on the quinoa-stuffed squash and top with chopped walnuts for a satisfying and delicious meal.

Heart Healthy Note: The polyphenols found in cranberries decrease oxidative stress. Cranberries are also effective against all inflammatory processes, like vessel wall damage. Wild cranberry fruit possesses greater antioxidant properties.

Jenneffer Pulapaka, DPM, is a Board-Certified podiatric surgeon and a certified sommelier. Hari Pulapaka, PhD, is a four-time James Beard Award semifinalist and a certified executive chef. Together, they bring a unique blend of culinary expertise and medical knowledge to create recipes that are not only delicious but also scientifically designed to promote heart health.