Stuffed Delicata Squash by Shannon

Ingredients

• 2 delicata squash, halved lengthwise and seeded
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ sweet red onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 tablespoon crumbled cooked bacon
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon safflower (Mexican saffron)
• sea salt to taste
• 1 bunch rainbow chard, stemmed and chopped
• ¼ cup vegetable broth, or as needed
• 1 (4 ounce) log crumbled goat cheese
• 1 teaspoon saffron
• ½ cup panko bread crumbs (Optional)
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted (Optional)

Step 1

Gently heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the delicata squash halves cut side down in a shallow baking dish with about half an inch of water at the bottom. Pop it in the oven and bake until the squash is tender enough to pierce with a fork, which should take around 20 to 30 minutes.

Step 2

While the squash is baking, heat up 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and celery, cooking and stirring until the onions turn translucent, about 5 minutes. Next, toss in the turkey, bacon, garlic, turmeric, cumin, safflower, and a pinch of sea salt. Keep cooking and stirring until the turkey is cooked through and no longer pink, roughly 6 minutes.

Step 3

Add the chopped chard to the skillet along with just enough broth to create some steam. Cook everything together until the greens have wilted and the liquid has mostly evaporated—this should take about 4 minutes.

Step 4

Once the squash is done, carefully drain any leftover water from the baking dish and flip the squash halves cut side up. Spread goat cheese evenly over each half, then fill the centers with the turkey and chard mixture.

Step 5

In a small bowl, gently mix the bread crumbs with some butter until just combined. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the stuffed squash. Move your oven rack to about 6 inches from the heat source and turn on the broiler.

Step 6

Place the squash back in the oven under the broiler and watch closely as the bread crumbs toast to a beautiful golden brown, which should take between 3 to 5 minutes. Enjoy!