Sweet delicata squash is the star of this Asian-inspired Delicata Squash Stuffed with Turkey and Brown Rice. The squash is roasted and stuffed with ground turkey, brown rice, sautéed peppers, kale, and Asian spices. Yummy!
Have you discovered deliciously sweet delicata squash yet? If not, you’re missing out! I picked up these beauties at Trader Joe’s and made this healthy fall dish.
Wow! Delicata squash is so amazing when roasted, so why not stuff it with the goodness of ground turkey and brown rice? You don’t even need to peel it — the entire squash is edible! How great is that?
What is Delicata Squash?
Delicata squash is a variety of winter squash with an edible rind with green or orange stripes. As its name suggests, it has a soft, “delicate” rind. Delicata squash is most commonly baked, but can also be microwaved, sautéed or steamed. It may be stuffed with meat or vegetable mixtures, and is known for its ease of cooking and creamy flavor and texture.
Where to find this incredibly tasty gourd? Trader Joe’s, of course! My go-to for just about everything!
Steps to make stuffed delicata squash
- Microwave the whole delicata squash for 3 minutes. Remove and let cool. Cut the squash in half length-wise. Scoop out the seeds and place on a baking tray sprayed with canola oil, cut side down. Spray the tops of the squash and sprinkle with a dash of salt. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.
- Meanwhile, in a heavy wok, sauté the garlic, onions and red chili peppers until onions are translucent. Add in the bell peppers and sauté another 2 minutes. Add in the mushrooms and ginger, sauté another 2 minutes until softened. Add in the ground turkey and salt, and break up into small pieces using a wooden spoon. Stir in the brown rice and chopped kale and cook until all ingredients are cooked through and well combined.
- To make the sauce: In a small saucepan, stir together coconut milk, Thai red curry paste, and sambal oelek over a low heat. Pour the sauce over the turkey mixture and stir well to incorporate. Toss with fresh cilantro and mint, and lime juice.
- To make the spicy aioli: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and sambal oelek.
- Stuff each half of the delicata squash with the turkey mixture. Put back in the oven for 10 minutes. Drizzle each squash with the spicy aioli. Serve immediately.
After microwaving the delicata squash, they’ll roast in the oven, flesh-side down, for 10 minutes before stuffing them.
I used lots of sautéed veggies for the stuffing, like chopped kale and bell peppers, herbaceous mint, and cilantro. The veggies are tossed together with cooked brown rice, a touch of heat with sambal oelek (Thai red chili paste), and red curry paste.
This Delicata Squash Stuffed with Turkey and Brown Rice is a meal your entire family will rave over! Drizzle the squash with a bit of spicy aioli if you’d like. It’s the final touch!
The end result will blow your mind! This Delicata Squash Stuffed with Turkey and Brown Rice is a colorful creation of pure yumminess!
TIPS & TRICKS
- You do not have to peel the delicata squash. Unlike other gourds, the entire squash is edible!
- You can use any sautéed vegetables of your choice! And if you don’t like brown rice, then use white instead!
- Make this vegetarian by leaving out the ground turkey. Or switch out the protein with ground beef, chicken, or pork.
WANT MORE?
If you liked this Stuffed Delicata Squash recipe, you’re going to want these recipes:
- Stuffed Acorn Squash with Turkey and Rice
- Savory Butternut Squash Galettes
- Miso Butternut Squash Soup
- Roasted Butternut Squash and Bok Choy Frittata
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Update Notes: This post was originally published on October 30, 2017, but was republished with slight text changes and additions, like step-by-step instructions and tips in October 2020.
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Delicata Squash Stuffed with Turkey and Brown Rice
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Oven & Stove Top
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
Delicata Squash Stuffed with Turkey and Brown Rice is the perfect Asian-inspired dish for fall, featuring healthy sautéed veggies, ground turkey, brown rice, and Asian spices.
Ingredients
- 2 large delicata squash
- Canola oil spray
- 2 large cloves garlic, minced
- 1 celery stick, finely chopped
- ½ onion, finely chopped
- 1 Thai red chili pepper, seeded and chopped (or jalapeño pepper)
- ½ red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- ½ yellow bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 4 oz. baby bella mushrooms, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- ¾ pound ground turkey
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¾ cup cooked brown rice
- 2 cups frozen chopped kale
For the Sauce:
- ½ cup light coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste
- 1 tablespoon sambal oelek (red chili paste)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh mint, chopped
- ½ lime, freshly squeezed
For the Spicy Aioli:
- 3 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon sambal oelek
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Microwave the whole delicata squash for 3 minutes. Remove and let cool.
- Cut the squash in half length-wise. Scoop out the seeds and place on a baking tray sprayed with canola oil cut side down. Spray the tops of the squash and sprinkle with a dash of salt. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Lower the oven to 350 degrees.
- Meanwhile, in a heavy wok, sauté the garlic, onions, and red chili peppers until onions are translucent. Add in the bell peppers and sauté another 2 minutes. Add in the mushrooms and ginger, sauté another 2 minutes until softened. Add in the ground turkey and salt, and break up into small pieces using a wooden spoon. Stir in the brown rice and chopped kale and cook until all ingredients are cooked through and well combined.
To make the sauce: In a small saucepan, stir together coconut milk, Thai red curry paste, and sambal oelek over a low heat. Pour the sauce over the turkey mixture and stir well to incorporate. Toss with fresh cilantro, mint, and lime juice.
To make the spicy aioli: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and sambal oelek.
- Stuff each half of the delicata squash with the turkey mixture. Put back in the oven for 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Drizzle each squash with the spicy aioli. Serve immediately.
Notes
- You do not have to peel the delicata squash. Unlike other gourds, the entire squash is edible!
- You can use any sautéed vegetables of your choice! And if you don’t like brown rice, then use white instead!
- Make this vegetarian by leaving out the ground turkey. Or switch out the protein with ground beef, chicken, or pork.
Keywords: stuffed squash ground turkey, stuffed squash recipes, stuffed delicata squash, roasted delicata squash
I’ve never had delicata squash before but now I must try it! This recipe looks fantastic!
★★★★★
I think you’re going to love delicata squash! It’s the best roasted, and the outer part is edible too!