Roasted vegetable and quinoa stuffed squash

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This weekend was one for the books, my friends and it was all I needed to fall madly back in love with this city I live right outside of.

monument

We had two of our friends from college come up to visit so in between the bloody marys, the games of Cards Against Humanity, the bottles of wine and pop up dance parties, we spent most of Saturday and Sunday doing the touristy thing in downtown DC. I honestly can’t remember the last time E and I spent two days visiting the beautiful monuments, museums and statues in the district. Although it was a little cold on Saturday, we couldn’t have asked for better weather.

DC2

Oh and don’t even get me started on the foliage. It’s in prime viewing pleasure right now around the city and I probably took about 16,000 photos of trees on my iPhone. But what can I say, I love fall. Plus, the differing colors of the trees go so well with my favorite tri-color quinoa, don’t you think?

PicMonkey Collage

Oh and anothing reason this weekend was so amazing is that I found out some pretty awesome news late on Friday. I got an AMAZING job!! I can’t say what I’ll be doing and for who yet, but I can say that it combines my passion for travel, FOOD and social media. Not to mention my new colleagues are incredible and I can already see myself plenty at home there.

Roasted squash

After months of feeling lost and in need of something to make me happy again, this couldn’t have come at a better time. Plus this weekend really showed me how lucky I am to live (and now work!) in a city millions of people vacation to. I guess it was my DC wake up call, but I couldn’t be more excited about it.

simple stuffed squash

As much fun as the weekend was, I over indulged MAJORLY. We polished off bowls of queso, ate birthday cake at 2am, drank far too much wine and ate way too much bacon. That’s why meals like this roasted vegetable and quinoa stuffed squash, inspired by my talented friend Rachel, will be made nearly every day this week and I’ll be replacing my beloved grape juice with pressed almond milks. I’ll also be replacing the epic dance parties with long runs outside of my house.

Soft baked squash

I mean I have to somehow fit back into those pencil skirts again, am I right? I’m not sure my new colleagues will appreciate my standard pancake batter stained yoga pants and grease splattered hoodies.

Roasted vegetable and quinoa stuffed squash

Stuffed squash with apples and bacon

CLICK HERE FOR THE PRINTABLE VERSION OF THIS RECIPE!

Serves 2. Inspired and adapted by Rachel Cooks.
Prep time: 15 – 20 minutes
Cook time: About 1 hour

Ingredients: 

  • 1/2 large butternut squash
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup tri color quinoa
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 shallot, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 large apple, chopped
  • 2 slices cooked bacon, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper
  • Fresh cilantro or herbs for garnish

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Grease a standard size casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Scoop out the seeds from the butternut squash and discard. Liberally sprinkle the squash with salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil.
  3. Roast for about 35 – 40 minutes, or until fork tender. Let cool slightly then carefully scoop out the flesh from the inside of the squash. Chop the flesh into bite size pieces and set aside.
  4. In a saucepan, bring the chicken broth and quinoa to a boil. Add a dash of salt. Reduce to medium low and simmer until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is soft and fluffy. Remove from heat and pour into a bowl. Mix in the softened butternut squash.
  5. In a skillet, heat the remaining olive oil over medium high heat. Add the shallot and garlic and cook until just translucent, about 3 – 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir into the quinoa and squash. Toss in the chopped apples, chopped bacon and salt and pepper.
  6. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F. Scoop the quinoa mixture into the the hollowed squash. Top with parmesan cheese and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
  7. Garnish with more cheese and fresh herbs.

Nutritional information per serving (1/2 squash): 

Calories: 550
Fat: 15.5 grams
Carbohydrates: 64 grams
Fiber: 6.8 grams
Protein: 18.5 grams
Weight Watchers Points: 13

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Comments

  1. Monday, November 10th, 2014
    Gorgeous! Roasted veggies can really be amazing! Love your photos!
  2. Posted by The Food Hunter on
    Monday, November 10th, 2014
    looks beautiful!
  3. Monday, November 10th, 2014
    beyond gorgeous!!
  4. Posted by Brenda@Sugar-Free Mom on
    Monday, November 10th, 2014
    I love tri color quinoa and this with roasted squash is perfection!
  5. Monday, November 10th, 2014
    Congratulations! A job that involves social media, travel, AND food? Amazing. So exciting for you! Sounds like an amazing weekend, too :) Oh yea...and that squash?! Holy yum!!
  6. Posted by Cookin Canuck on
    Monday, November 10th, 2014
    It's always fun to play tourist in your own town! This stuffed squash is so pretty...and I love that you stuffed it with quinoa.
  7. Monday, November 10th, 2014
    I am just so in love with all of these photos, such a beautiful way to capture fall - in the photos of nature AND the food. <3
  8. Posted by Angie on
    Monday, November 10th, 2014
    What a beautiful stuffed squash! Your photos are amazing!
  9. Monday, November 10th, 2014
    Congrats on the new job! And isn't fall just dreamy? I love this season!
  10. Posted by Sam @ PancakeWarriors on
    Monday, November 10th, 2014
    Congrats on the job. Wow the leaves there are gorgeous!! Love this squash it's all things fall! Best if luck with all the big changes
  11. Posted by Ginny McMeans on
    Monday, November 10th, 2014
    Your pictures are beautiful! It makes me want to jump on a plane right now! I am very excited for you with you new job too. So much going on! The weekend sounded like a blast and this jummy sounding squash recipe will help you get back on track.
  12. Posted by Heather // girlichef on
    Monday, November 10th, 2014
    I love your renewed spirit, it really shines through! The pictures are definitely gorgeous...I haven't been to DC in fall, I need to go one day. And don't even get me started on how amazing this squash looks and sounds. Congrats on your new venture!
  13. Monday, November 10th, 2014
    This looks so healthy and delicious - perfect for balancing out all the sweet treats in the next few months...
  14. Posted by Bea on
    Monday, November 10th, 2014
    Congratulations on your new job. I wish you much success.

    The roasted butternut squash with try colored quinoa sounds and looks lie the perfect dish to recharge the nutritional batteries.
  15. Monday, November 10th, 2014
    This is such a pretty dish!! Sounds like you had a great weekend and ate very well :)
  16. Monday, November 10th, 2014
    congrats!! I knew you would land a pretty sweet job, you are awesome.
  17. Posted by Meseidy on
    Monday, November 10th, 2014
    This looks beautiful and satisfying!
  18. Posted by Anita on
    Tuesday, November 11th, 2014
    You really captured the colors of fall in both your photos and your recipe! I'm jealous - wish I could be on the east coast now!
  19. Tuesday, November 11th, 2014
    Congratulations on the new job! Sounds perfect for you. And I don't know a thing about Berlin touristy stuff so I totally get what that's like. ;)
  20. Tuesday, November 11th, 2014
    I didn't know you lived near DC! We're outside of Annapolis, fun! And congrats on the job. That's amazing news! This dish is a perfect way to celebrate!
  21. Tuesday, November 11th, 2014
    WOW, DC looks amazing! I would have 1000 pics of the trees on my phone too! haha. Love everything about this post, including the squash!
  22. Posted by Nutmeg Nanny on
    Wednesday, November 12th, 2014
    I want to come hang out with you for a weekend! Can we drink wine and watch scary movies? I would take a side of this squash too...yum!
    • Posted by cgallam10 on
      Wednesday, November 12th, 2014
      UM YES.
  23. Wednesday, November 12th, 2014
    That first photo is incredible. I lived in DC for a few years, but I don't remember ever seeing colors like that!

    I already said it on FB, but congrats again on the new job. I can't wait to hear more!
  24. Thursday, November 13th, 2014
    This dish looks just like the fall foliage. So beautiful!