Quinoa and Wild Rice Stuffed Squash

Ingredients

• 10 to 12 Sweet Dumpling, Carnival, or Delicata squash (about 3/4 lb. each)
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 onions (1 lb. total), chopped
• 2 cups chopped celery
• 5 1/4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 1/2 cups wild rice, rinsed and drained
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage leaves or 2 teaspoons dried rubbed sage
• 1 1/2 cups quinoa, rinsed and drained
• 2/3 cup chopped dried apricots
• 1/3 cup chopped dried cherries
• 1/3 cup chopped dried cranberries
• Salt

Preparation

1. 1. Rinse squash, pierce each with a fork several times, and set in a 10- by 15-inch pan. Add 3/4 cup water to pan and cover tightly with foil.
2. 2. Bake in a 350° oven until the squash are tender when pierced, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
3. 3. Meanwhile, in a 4- to 5-quart pan, stir chopped pecans over medium heat until golden, about 5 minutes. Remove from pan.
4. 4. Add olive oil, onions, and celery to the pan; stir over medium-high heat until the onions are limp, about 6 minutes. Add vegetable broth, wild rice, and sage. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 40 minutes. Stir in quinoa, cover, and simmer until both of the grains are tender to bite, 15 to 20 minutes longer.
5. 5. Stir in apricots, cherries, cranberries, and pecans. Add salt to taste. Keep warm until squash are ready.
6. 6. When the squash are cooked, hold with a thick towel to protect hands, and cut 1/2 to 3/4 inch off tops (or sides of Delicata) to form lids. Scoop out and discard seeds. If needed, trim a little off squash bases so they sit steady and level.
7. 7. Mound grain stuffing into squash cavities. Set squash lids on filling and serve, adding salt to taste.