Stuffed Sage Carnival Squash

Carnival squash. Have you heard of it? I had never! It came to me on a chilly, leafless and blustery day, neatly packed in my CSA box. Speckled, mostly green and yellow, with odd pools of vibrant orange marked it's skin. Carnival squash is probably most akin to acorn squash, but delightfully unique in its own way. 

This little guy is lovingly filled with only the most scrumptious of autumn goodies. Honeycrisp apples, earthy sage, crunchy pepitas, silky red chard, Field Roast Smoked Apple Sage Grain-Meat Sausage, and pumpkin. Oh yes, we are now filling winter squash with pureed pumpkin.

This is how the pros do it. 

Produce On Parade - Stuffed Sage Carnival Squash - This is an easy and impressive festive squash stuffed with apples, kale, pumpkin, and vegan sausage. It’s the perfect star or companion of any Thanksgiving dinner.
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world”
— Anne Frank
Produce On Parade - Stuffed Sage Carnival Squash - This is an easy and impressive festive squash stuffed with apples, kale, pumpkin, and vegan sausage. It’s the perfect star or companion of any Thanksgiving dinner.
Produce On Parade - Stuffed Sage Carnival Squash - This is an easy and impressive festive squash stuffed with apples, kale, pumpkin, and vegan sausage. It’s the perfect star or companion of any Thanksgiving dinner.
Produce On Parade - Stuffed Sage Carnival Squash - This is an easy and impressive festive squash stuffed with apples, kale, pumpkin, and vegan sausage. It’s the perfect star or companion of any Thanksgiving dinner.

You guys are going to love this squash! This is an easy and impressive festive squash stuffed with apples, kale, pumpkin, and vegan sausage. It’s the perfect star or companion of any Thanksgiving dinner.

Produce On Parade - Stuffed Sage Carnival Squash - This is an easy and impressive festive squash stuffed with apples, kale, pumpkin, and vegan sausage. It’s the perfect star or companion of any Thanksgiving dinner.
Produce On Parade - Stuffed Sage Carnival Squash - This is an easy and impressive festive squash stuffed with apples, kale, pumpkin, and vegan sausage. It’s the perfect star or companion of any Thanksgiving dinner.

Stuffed Sage Carnival Squash


Stuffed Sage Carnival Squash
By

This is an easy and impressive festive carnival squash stuffed with apples, kale, pumpkin, and vegan sausage. It’s the perfect star or companion of any Thanksgiving dinner.

Ingredients
  • 1 carnival or acorn squash, halved
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 red onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp. ground black pepper
  • ¼ tsp. ground sage
  • 1 small apple, diced
  • 1 Smoked Apple Sage Field Roast Grain-Meat Sausage link, diced.
  • 4 large kale or swiss chard leaves and stems, chopped
  • ½ 15 oz. canned pumpkin
  • 1 Tbsp. maple syrup
  • 2 Tbsp. pepitas
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425° F. Cut the squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Place face down on a baking sheet coated with a nonstick cooking spray. Bake for about 30-40 minutes, until tender when pierced with a fork.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large rimmed frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium low. Add the onion and garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 5 minutes.
  3. Now, stir in the salt, pepper, and sage. Add the apple, sausage, and kale. Sauté over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until the kale is wilted.
  4. Add the remaining ingredients, mixing well to combine. Stir occasionally while over medium heat for about 8-10 minutes. The apples should be softened but not cooked through. Remove from heat to rest, until the squash is done baking.
  5. When squash is done, keep the oven on, and divide the stuffing evenly between each squash half filling the center. Place back in the oven for about 3 minutes to heat through. Remove from the oven and serve hot.

    6. Prep time:
    Cook time:
    Total time:
    Yield: 2 servings

More Easy Squash Recipes

Produce On Parade - Stuffed Sage Carnival Squash - This is an easy and impressive festive squash stuffed with apples, kale, pumpkin, and vegan sausage. It’s the perfect star or companion of any Thanksgiving dinner.

Dutch Word of The Day

Stuffed --> gevuld (who-feld)

Good Deed of The Day

Milk. It does the body bad. Real bad. A new study from the British Medicine Journal "...found that those who drank three glasses of milk daily were more likely to die of heart disease and cancer. For the women, milk drinkers had a significant better chance of suffering a hip fracture." Yikes. Maybe it's time to switch to one of the other thousand non-dairy options, yea?

Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather

Fruit leather has been on my "to make" list since I got a dehydrator a few years ago. Admittedly, at first, I wasn't sure what the weird flat trays were for that came with the dehydrator. I ended up tossing them in the dark hole that was the back of the pantry and when we moved, I found them cracked and just threw them away. That was that. Until now.

When Todd and I go backpacking, we always buy fruit leather. It's nice to have something sweet, healthy, and satisfying but apples and berries definitely don't travel well. That's where the fruit leather comes in! The store-bought stuff is expensive and when you make it yourself it's really reassuring to actually see exactly what's in it. 

Making the leather couldn't be easier (as long as you've got some time to kill) and it's a great way to use up those apples that were shoved in the back of the fridge and essentially forsaken. Yes, I did cut many brown spots off of the organic honeycrisp apples that I payed for with my left arm. I wasn't about to waste those puppies!

Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.”
— St. Francis de Sales

When making these scrumptious fruit leathers...you can't be in a hurry. They're so undemanding, yet utterly swish, and definitely worth the wait. Aren't they delightful all wrapped up?

Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
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Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather
by September-4-2014
Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too! Notes: Feel free to use whatever dried berries or raisins you like.
Ingredients
  • 4 medium very ripe apples, cored and chopped
  • 2 cups sliced rhubarb (about 4-6 stems)
  • ½ cup dried blueberries
  • 1 Tbsp. molasses
  • 1 tsp. alma powder (optional)
  • 1 tsp. lime or lemon juice
Instructions
Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until very smooth. If you don't have a vitamix with a tamper tool, then you may have to pause it several times to push down the fruit.Coat two fruit leather/liquid trays of the dehydrator with a nonstick cooking spray. Pour about 2 cups (half the mixture) onto one of the trays and smooth over. Repeat with the second tray.Place the liquid trays at the highest slots and dehydrate at about 140 F for about 6-10 hours.The center should be slightly soft but definitely dry. The leather should be pliable and not crack too much. Store in an airtight container with parchment in between the leather strips. For long storage, put in the freezer.
Details
Prep time: Cook time: Total time: Yield: 16
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!
Produce On Parade - Apple Rhu-Berry Fruit Leather - Sweet and tart, these homemade fruit leathers are chewy and nutritious with juicy apples, rhubarb, and blueberries. No refined sugar too!

Bob is ridiculously dapper, don't you think?

German Word of The Day

Fruit leather --> Obstleder (oobst-laydeh) - Okay, so I kind of made that one up. Any German speakers around? Did I make a real word!? What do you call fruit leather? Obst = fruit/Leder = leather

Good Deed of The Day

Are you near Santa Monica? If so, you must go to the first ever vegan Oktoberfest in my place since I won't be able to attend. Maybe email me with names of all the awesome vegan beers you loved? Check out the deets, here, so I can live vicariously through you and your vegan privileges. 

Creamy Pumpkin Sage Quinoa with Roasted Broccoli

Last Fall, I was all about pumpkin recipes. Everything pumpkin. And I've decided to continue that kick this Fall. I know, I know...everyone is all up on the pumpkin. Don't worry, I'll try to keep the pumpkin recipes to a sane and acceptable level. But I ask, why not be crazy about pumpkin?! It is most amazing. I love it's ability to be sweet or savory. Bonus! Pumpkin evokes imagery of family togetherness, pajamas, rainy days, good books and cuddling. At least...that's what pumpkin means to me. It's neck and neck with hot cocoa for that special type of goodness. That special type of goodness has a name. In Danish culture, it's called "hygge". Which, I am to learn kind of means "coziness" but more specifically in regards to relaxing with loved ones, often while enjoying good food in a wonderfully comforting atmosphere. Todd, Bob and I eating this pumpkin dinner, then getting all snuggled up in bed reading our books and drinking coconut chai tea while the rain poured outside was definitely hygge. It could've only been made better with more candles...and sweets! Candles and sweets make everything better...even the best!

Creamy Pumpkin Sage Quinoa with Roasted Broccoli

Creamy Pumpkin Sage Quinoa with Roasted Broccoli

Inspired by Veg News

Serves 4

  • 3 heads of broccoli, florets only
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup dry quinoa, rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion, minced
  • 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 Field Roast Smoked Apple Sage grain meat sausage links, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 15 oz. can of canned pumpkin
  • 2 Tbsp. fresh sage, minced (or 1/2 tsp. dried sage)
  • 2 Tbsp. nutritional yeast
  • 1/4 tsp. dried rosemary
  • 1/4 tsp. dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp. ground pepper

Preheat oven to 425 F and wash and chop the broccoli. I only use the florets because I save the chopped stems as treats for Bobby! Toss the florets in olive oil and bake at 425 F for about 20 minutes.

Produce On Parade - Creamy Pumpkin Sage Quinoa with Roasted Broccoli

Bring the water and the rinsed quinoa to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce to low heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. When done, remove from heat and fluff with a fork.

Creamy Pumpkin Sage Quinoa with Roasted Broccoli

Heat 1/2 Tbsp. of olive oil in a medium frying pan then add the onion and sausage. Saute until the onion softens and the sausage browns, about 10 minutes over medium heat.

Creamy Pumpkin Sage Quinoa with Roasted Broccoli

I get my vegan Field Roast sausage from Costco. It's so good and Todd absolutely loves it! I buy it in bulk and then just freeze it until I need!

Creamy Pumpkin Sage Quinoa with Roasted Broccoli

Once everything is done cooking, combine the cooked quinoa together with the onion, sausage and remaining ingredients excluding the broccoli. Mix well to combine.

Creamy Pumpkin Sage Quinoa with Roasted Broccoli

Serve the pumpkin quinoa warm with the roasted broccoli as a side. Then lights some candles, make some tea, get a good book and find your hygge.

Creamy Pumpkin Sage Quinoa with Roasted BroccoliBob update! He isn't too pleased to have to wear his special collar. If you check out Produce On Parade's facebook page, you'll know what I'm talking about. 2 weeks people! Dear lord, it's going to be a long and sad two weeks! He was happy enough to have it off, even if it was only for a short while...poor Little Bear!

Creamy Pumpkin Sage Quinoa with Roasted Broccoli

Creamy Pumpkin Sage Quinoa with Roasted Broccoli
Recipe Type: Entree
Author: Katie - Produce On Parade
Serves: 4
Creamy pumpkin quinoa with fresh sage and browned Smoked Apple Sausage side with roasted broccoli to make for one cozy and delicious Fall meal.
Ingredients
  • 3 heads of broccoli, florets only
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup dry quinoa, rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion, minced
  • 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 Field Roast Smoked Apple Sage grain meat sausage links, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 15 oz. can of canned pumpkin
  • 2 Tbsp. fresh sage, minced (or 1/2 tsp. dried sage)
  • 2 Tbsp. nutritional yeast
  • 1/4 tsp. dried rosemary
  • 1/4 tsp. dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp. ground pepper
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425 F and wash and chop the broccoli. I only use the florets because I save the chopped stems as treats for Bobby! Toss the florets in olive oil and bake at 425 F for about 20 minutes.
  2. Bring the water and the rinsed quinoa to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce to low heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. When done, remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
  3. Heat 1/2 Tbsp. of olive oil in a medium frying pan then add the onion and sausage. Saute until the onion softens and the sausage browns, about 10 minutes over medium heat.
  4. Once everything is done cooking, combine the cooked quinoa together with the onion, sausage and remaining ingredients excluding the broccoli. Mix well to combine.
  5. Serve the pumpkin quinoa warm with the roasted broccoli as a side.