Dinner for two
Fill up ‘edible bowl’ of acorn squash with something wonderful
Cut an acorn squash in half to make “edible bowls” filled with something wonderful, like a quinoa, feta and pistachio combination.
Acorn squash is one of the many varieties of squash now abundant at area markets. Because of their size and shape, when cut in half from the top down they look like little “edible bowls” to me, just waiting to be filled with something wonderful — like this quinoa, feta and pistachio combination.
Inspired by a recipe in “Meatless,” a Martha Stewart cookbook, I added some things that seemed natural such as lemon, garlic and a hint of onion in the form of chives.
Besides being an elegant meatless meal for two, it’s also a healthful one. Acorn squash is high in vitamin C, which may help fend off the cold virus. Quinoa and nuts are considered “super foods.”
When selecting squash, it should feel heavy for its size, which means it has plenty of moisture. I like to buy acorn squash with a “flash” of orange on it; it always seems to be the perfect ripeness.
Although I frequently cook quinoa for clients, I’ve found it challenging to get it “just right” following package instructions. Most have you rinse it (to remove the bitter coating known as saponin), add to boiling water, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. My result was generally undercooked quinoa with water remaining in the pot.
The method I’ve found works best is to leave the cover off while it’s simmering so I can watch it. After about 12-15 minutes when much of the water has been absorbed or cooked out and the “germ” begins to appear, I then cover and let it stand off the heat for 10 to 12 minutes. Quinoa is cooked when the germ has been fully released and it’s fluffy and tender.
If you’d rather not go to the trouble, fully cooked quinoa is now available in the freezer section near the vegetables at many grocery stores. If you prefer, couscous or orzo may be substituted for the quinoa. Serve with sauteed greens or a green salad. This dish also makes a great side dish you’ll be proud to have on your table this holiday season.