Simple Quinoa Stuffed Summer Squash
Two jobs & Fall classes have left me with little time to blog & I apologize. I’ve been trying to catch up since Portland, but I can’t seem to get my bearings. Not to mention, the bronchitis that ailed me a few months ago is back, & the incessant coughing come night fall allows for less than restful sleep. It’s easy for me to eat poorly, or not eat at all during these times, but I know it is important to stay nourished. So I try.
Quite a few of these showed up in my last CSA share…
My first inclination, when I receive eight-ball squash, is to stuff them. It seems to be the most efficient way to use them, as the flesh & seeds need to be scooped out & you are left with a smooth hollow cup, perfect for filling with a grain, rice, or a veggie meat mixture.
I’ve had this in my freezer for quite some time…
I typically like to cook from scratch, but there are some occasions where cutting corners is acceptable. I picked up this “Quinoa Duo” from Trader Joe’s several months ago, & I knew it would come in handy as a quick & easy meal during a busy time. This package houses a frozen vegan mixture of red & white quinoa, spices, & a melange of veggies including sweet potatoes, zucchini & carrots. I thought this tasty blend would be lovely baked into my yellow eight-balls.
The quiona needed to cook for approximately 5 minutes stove-top, so meanwhile, I cut the tops off the squash, scooped out & discarded the seeds. Once the quiona mixture was heated through, I sprinkled in some vegan mozzarella (I used Daiya), folded it together, stuffed the squash, & baked in the oven for 15 minutes at 425 degrees.
A few dashes of paprika on top & voila! Quinoa Stuffed Summer Squash! The quinoa mixture had a comforting warmth from spices such as cumin, chili & cayenne that worked beautifully inside the juicy, sweet squash. I’ve been craving Fall weather, & the flavors here were very reminiscent of the upcoming season.
To complete my meal, I made a simple salad with Fresh & Easy’s “Crunchy Beat Salad Mix” tossed with their “Tahini Goddess Dressing.” What a lovely dinner! Now it’s time for some homework & hopefully a restful night’s sleep!
