Stuffed Kabocha Squash with Arabic Lamb Stew

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 pound lamb stew meat, cut into 1 1/2-in. chunks
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided
• 3/4 pound shallots, peeled, cut in half if large
• About 2 1/4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth, divided
• 2 tablespoons baharat
• 1/4 cup white basmati rice, rinsed
• 1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped tomatoes
• 1 kabocha squash (3 1/2 to 4 lbs.)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons sliced chives

Preparation

1. 1. Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a 5- to 6-qt. pan over high heat. Sprinkle lamb with 3/4 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper, then brown in oil, stirring occasionally, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer lamb to a bowl and reduce heat under pan to medium-high.
2. 2. Add shallots, 1 tbsp. oil, and 1/4 cup broth to pan; stir to loosen browned bits. Cook, stirring occasionally, until shallots are browned, 7 to 10 minutes; add a splash of water if drippings start to get dark. Return meat to pan and sprinkle with baharat. Add 2 more cups broth, stirring to loosen browned bits. Cover, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 1 hour, adding another 1/4 cup broth if pan starts to dry. Stir in rice and tomatoes and return to a boil. Meanwhile, continue with recipe.
3. 3. Preheat oven to 375°. With a short knife, carefully cut around squash stem to make a 4-in. lid. Pry out lid with a table knife. Scrape out and discard seeds from lid and squash. Brush interior of squash and inside of lid with remaining 1 tbsp. oil, then sprinkle them with remaining 1/4 tsp. each salt and pepper, tipping squash to coat evenly. Set squash on a rimmed baking sheet. Prick with a fork in a couple of spots near the top.
4. 4. Fill squash with as much stew as fits. Set lid in place and bake until squash is just tender inside when pierced, 70 minutes to 1 1/2 hours. Meanwhile, spoon remaining stew into a small loaf pan, cover with foil, and bake 1 hour.
5. 5. Stir chives into stew in pan and squash. Transfer squash to a platter with 2 wide spatulas (squash may split a little; this is okay). Use a big metal spoon to scoop out squash and stew into soup bowls, adding stew from pan.
6.