Stuffed Squash with Curried Lentils

My Stuffed Squash with Curried Lentils makes a show stopping Thanksgiving centerpiece that everyone will love!

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A Vegan Thanksgiving Entree

Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away.  It provides a perfect opportunity to reach out to others—anyone hosting friends this year?  Can you add a few more?  My Stuffed Squash with Curried Lentils would be a perfect entree to serve—especially to non vegans because it’s made of completely “normal” ingredients!  It’s vegan, gluten free, soy free, and nut free—this yummy dish checks ALL the boxes for everyone!

Stuffed Squash

My recipe is adapted from my mom’s stuffed squash recipe.  I remember eating it often growing up—despite it being full of veggies it was always a favorite for adults and kids alike.  My mom made hers with beef, but lentils make a perfect substitute.  She alternated between serving it in acorn squash or pita pockets.  As a kid I preferred the pita pockets, but the squash is so elegant!

MORE HOLIDAY RECIPES YOU WILL LOVE

• Cranberry Orange Relish
• Vegan Red Wine Gravy
• Easy Vegan Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
• Aunt Betty’s Vegan Apple Pie
• Stuffed Squash with Curried Lentils
• Maple Lime Roasted Sweet Potatoes
• Vegan Green Bean Casserole
• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes with Fried Onions and Bacon
• Dairy Free Onion Gravy for the Holidays
• Pumpkin Chocolate Cake with Ginger

Packed with Flavor

The lentils are seasoned with onions, tomatoes, and curry powder—they are packed with flavor.  Simple roasted squash provides a perfect balance to the spiced lentils—I love to use the squash as a bowl and scoop up some squash and lentils in every bite.  Oh, and did I mention that it takes 30 minutes to put together?

^^^ Trimmed and ready to scoop out!

Let’s Make Stuffed Squash with Curried Lentils!

I hope you have a chance to make my Stuffed Squash with Curried Lentils.  Be sure to take a picture and share it on social media—tag me so that I can see it! {@frieddandelions // #frieddandelions }  And please leave a comment below sharing a way that you’re trying to go beyond the check boxes, connect with your neighbors, and show compassion to those around you.  Let’s do this.

Print Recipe

Stuffed Squash with Curried Lentils

My Stuffed Squash with Curried Lentils makes a show stopping Thanksgiving centerpiece that everyone will love!

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time25 mins

Total Time35 mins

Course: Entree

Servings: 4 -6 servings

Author: Sarah De la Cruz

Ingredients

• 2-3 small acorn squashes (small delicata squashes would be great too!)
• 1 onion diced
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 cup dry black lentils (green, french, or brown lentils will also work, not red lentils)
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 2-3 teaspoons of curry powder
• 2 1/2 cups of water

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400°.
• Slice squashes in half along the equator. You might also want to slice the top and bottom off so that they squashes will sit flat.
• Scoop out the seeds and membranes from the inside of squash.
• Drizzle a tiny bit of oil on the squashes and place them face down on a parchment lined baking sheet.
• Roast squash halves for 20-30 minutes, until they are able to be easily pierced with a fork.
• Heat oil in a medium pot over medium heat.
• Add onions and begin to brown.
• Add garlic and brown.
• Add salt, sugar, and curry powder. Stir well.
• Add tomatoes, lentils, and water.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
• Simmer until lentils are al dente, about 20 minutes.
• Remove squash from the oven.
• Fill each squash half with a scoop of the lentil mixture. Enjoy!

From the Archives…November 12, 2016

I’m so excited to share a new recipe with you all today, but it feels insensitive to say “take your mind off of the events of the week, we have Stuffed Squash with Curried Lentils!”  So first a few words about our current events.  Political policies come and go.  I know we won’t ever agree about everything, and frankly, I wouldn’t like that anyway.  What I am deeply saddened by is the now legitimized and rampant spread of evil taking off across our country.  I am shocked at the hatred shown towards complete strangers, towards people who are just a little different than we are.  I am a Christian.  I am a woman.  I am a Daughter of the American Revolution.  I am the wife of an immigrant.  I am the mother of two sweet boys who have their Daddy’s beautiful brown skin.  I am a vegan.  I check boxes all across the board, and yet am so much more than just these check marks.  

I urge you this week to go beyond the trite encouragement being shared on Facebook to “Be nice.”  Being nice isn’t enough.  Be a friend.  Expand your friendships to people beyond those that check the same boxes as you.  Invite new friends into your home and share a meal.  Bring cookies and a note of encouragement to your neighbors.  Say hello to others in the grocery store.  Put together items to donate to those less fortunate.  Show compassion to ALL.  Celebrate our differences, and find new common ground.  Which boxes do you check?  What will you do to stop the spread of hate, and start the spread of compassion?  Leave a comment below the post—let’s fill up the comment boxes with positive and tangible ways to support and connect with others.

^^^ My loves.