Delicious & Easy Sausage Stuffed Delicata Squash Recipe: Your Perfect Fall Meal
For many, the mention of “delicata squash” might still draw a blank, and if you’re among those unfamiliar, don’t worry, you’re in good company. I too was a relatively recent convert to the charms of this incredible winter squash, and now I’m absolutely delighted to share just how delicious and versatile it is, especially in this warming, flavorful dish: Sausage Stuffed Delicata Squash. This recipe transforms a lesser-known gem into a centerpiece meal, offering a perfect balance of savory and sweet notes that truly capture the essence of autumn.
What is Delicata Squash? The Edible Skin Wonder
Delicata squash, also known as peanut squash or sweet potato squash, is a delightful member of the winter squash family that deserves a spotlight. Unlike its more popular cousins like butternut or acorn squash, delicata boasts a creamy, cylindrical shape often adorned with charming green or orange stripes. Each squash typically weighs a little over a pound, making it a perfect individual serving or a substantial side.
One of its most appealing characteristics, and a game-changer for busy cooks, is its **thin, tender, and entirely edible skin**. This means no peeling required, saving you significant prep time and effort! The flesh itself is wonderfully sweet, with a delicate flavor reminiscent of a sweet potato, and a texture that becomes incredibly tender and creamy when cooked. It’s truly a seasonal treasure that brings a gentle sweetness and impressive nutritional value to any meal.
I’ve been encountering so many tempting delicata squash recipes lately that I embarked on a mission to find these beautiful gourds. To my delight, our cherished local farm market, Duffield’s, has started offering them. And the best part? They’re homegrown! This is their inaugural year providing delicata, and I sincerely hope they continue to do so, allowing us to enjoy this fantastic squash year after year.
Why Delicata Squash is Perfect for Stuffing
Delicata squash is uniquely suited for stuffing. Its oblong shape, when cut lengthwise, creates perfect little “boats” ready to be filled with a delicious mixture. The thin, edible skin means you get to enjoy every bit of the squash, adding a subtle textural contrast and saving you the hassle of dealing with thick, tough rinds. Plus, its inherent sweetness acts as a wonderful counterpoint to savory fillings, creating a harmonious flavor profile that’s hard to beat.
This Sausage Stuffed Delicata Squash recipe leverages all these qualities. The savory Italian sausage, earthy kale, and sweet golden raisins come together with creamy Swiss cheese to create a hearty, satisfying filling that perfectly complements the tender squash. It’s a dish that feels both gourmet and comforting, making it ideal for a weeknight dinner or an impressive addition to your holiday spread.
Getting Started: Preparing Your Delicata Squash
Prepping delicata squash is straightforward, especially since you won’t be peeling it. Here’s how to get started:
- Clean Thoroughly: The first crucial step is to scrub the squash clean under running water. Since the skin is edible, ensure there’s no dirt or residue.
- Cut Carefully: Using a sharp chef’s knife, carefully cut each squash evenly in half lengthwise. Be very cautious during this step. While the cooked skin is tender, the raw squash can be quite firm and difficult to cut through. A stable cutting surface and a steady hand are key.
- Scoop Out Seeds: Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and fibrous membranes from the center of each squash half. Don’t discard the seeds immediately! If you’re feeling adventurous and love a crunchy snack, the seeds can be roasted just like pumpkin seeds for a delicious, salty treat. Otherwise, add them to your compost or discard them.
Roasting the Delicata Squash Base
Roasting the delicata squash before stuffing it is key to ensuring it’s beautifully tender and develops a rich, caramelized sweetness. This step also creates the perfect foundation for our hearty filling.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Brush the cut sides of the squash evenly with 2 teaspoons of olive oil. The oil helps in achieving that lovely golden-brown crust and enhances the flavor.
- Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. Seasoning at this stage ensures the squash itself is flavorful.
- Place cut sides up on a large baking sheet. Arranging them cut-side up allows the flesh to roast and soften evenly.
- Roast for 30 minutes. During this time, the squash will become fork-tender, fragrant, and slightly golden. This prepares it perfectly for the stuffing.
Crafting the Hearty Sausage & Kale Stuffing
While your delicata squash is roasting, you can prepare the savory stuffing. This efficient multitasking ensures your meal comes together smoothly and quickly. The combination of Italian sausage, fresh kale, sweet raisins, and savory cheese creates a deeply flavorful and satisfying filling.
- Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, heat the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil over medium heat. A good quality olive oil will add another layer of flavor.
- Add the uncooked mild Italian sausage (casings removed), chopped onion, and minced garlic. Break the sausage apart with a spoon as it cooks.
- Cook for about 10 minutes or until the sausage is nicely browned and the onion is tender and translucent. Stir often to ensure the sausage cooks evenly and breaks into small, crumbles. This browning step is crucial for developing rich, savory flavors.
Prepping the Kale for Your Stuffing
Fresh kale is a wonderful addition, bringing a slight bitterness and a wealth of nutrients to balance the richness of the sausage and cheese. The kale can be prepped while the sausage is cooking.
Be sure to clean the fresh kale thoroughly:
Soak it in cold water for a few minutes to loosen any grit, then transfer it by the handful to a colander to drain. It’s important to lift the soaked kale from the water this way rather than pouring the whole thing in, as this prevents you from transferring any residual sand or grit that settles at the bottom of the bowl. For tips on how to easily remove kale stems, check out this quick tutorial.
- Add the torn or roughly chopped fresh kale, golden raisins, and chicken stock or broth to the skillet with the sausage mixture; stir to combine. The raisins add a delightful burst of sweetness, while the broth helps tenderize the kale and melds all the flavors together.
- Cover the skillet; cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until the kale is tender, stirring occasionally. The kale will wilt down significantly.
- Remove from the heat.
- Stir in the shredded Swiss cheese and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. The cheese will melt beautifully into the warm mixture, adding a creamy, tangy finish.
Assembling and Finishing Your Stuffed Delicata Squash
Now comes the satisfying part: filling the roasted squash boats with our delicious stuffing and giving them a final bake to perfection.
- Spoon the sausage mixture evenly into the roasted squash halves. Make sure to mound it generously to create a satisfying and visually appealing dish.
- Sprinkle the panko breadcrumbs and freshly grated nutmeg evenly over the sausage mixture. The breadcrumbs will provide a lovely crispy topping, while the nutmeg adds a warm, aromatic spice that complements the squash and sausage beautifully. You can use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs if desired.
- Bake for 10 minutes or until the squash is completely tender and the topping is golden brown and crispy. The final bake allows the flavors to meld and the topping to achieve a delightful texture.
A fantastic tip for effortless entertaining: You can prepare these up to this point (stuffing the squash) early in the day and then simply pop them in the oven for the final bake just before serving. This allows for stress-free entertaining, at its best!
Serving Suggestions & Variations
You now have a delicious offering of Sausage Stuffed Delicata Squash. This sweet and savory dish is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed as a hearty entree on its own or as a festive and impressive side dish alongside roasted chicken, pork loin, or even a holiday turkey. For ease in serving, consider slicing each halved squash into four or five pieces once it’s out of the oven.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with variations!
- For a spicier kick: Use hot Italian sausage instead of mild.
- Different cheeses: Try grated Parmesan, smoked gouda, or even a sharp cheddar for different flavor profiles.
- Add nuts: Toasted pecans or walnuts would add a lovely crunch and earthy flavor.
- Vegetarian option: Replace the sausage with cooked lentils, wild rice, or a mix of sautéed mushrooms and herbs for a delicious plant-based alternative.
- Other greens: Spinach or chard can be used in place of kale if preferred.
This recipe is incredibly adaptable, allowing you to tailor it to your taste and what you have on hand.
Enjoy Your Delicious Sausage Stuffed Delicata Squash!
This dish truly embodies the cozy, comforting flavors of the autumn and winter seasons. The sweet delicata squash pairs beautifully with the savory sausage, slightly bitter kale, and the surprising burst of sweetness from the golden raisins, all brought together by the melted Swiss cheese. It’s a complete meal in one, simple to prepare, and impressive to serve. Whether you’re looking for a new family favorite or a show-stopping dish for guests, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your fall cooking repertoire. Give it a try, and you might just find delicata squash becoming your new favorite winter squash!
Sausage Stuffed Delicata Squash
Adapted from Better Homes & Gardens
Perfect balance of savory & sweet. Can be enjoyed as an entree or side dish. This recipe is naturally gluten-free if you use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Ingredients
-
2
medium delicata squash, halved lengthwise & seeded
(about 1 pound each) -
3
teaspoons
olive oil, divided -
1/4
teaspoon
salt -
1/2
teaspoon
freshly ground black pepper, divided -
8
ounces
uncooked mild italian sausage, casings removed -
1/2
cup
chopped onion
(about 3 ounces) -
2
garlic cloves, minced -
8
cups
torn or roughly chopped fresh kale, stems removed
(about 7 ounces) -
1/3
cup
golden raisins -
1/3
cup
chicken stock or broth -
1/4
cup
shredded swiss cheese -
2
tablespoons
panko bread crumbs
(or gluten-free panko bread crumbs) -
1/4
teaspoon
freshly grated nutmeg
(or ground nutmeg)
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
-
Brush cut sides of squash evenly with 2 teaspoons of the olive oil. Sprinkle with the 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper. Place cut sides up on a large baking sheet. Roast for 30 minutes.
-
Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, heat the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil over medium heat. Add sausage, onion, and garlic. Cook about 10 minutes or until sausage is browned and onion is tender, stirring to break sausage apart. Add kale, raisins, and broth; stir to combine. Cover; cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until kale is tender, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
-
Spoon sausage mixture evenly into squash halves. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs and nutmeg evenly over the sausage mixture. Bake for 10 minutes or until squash is tender and topping is golden.
Recipe Notes
Lacinato kale was used in this recipe. You’ll start out with at least 13 ounces. Once the stems are trimmed, the net weight of the 8 cups of chopped kale should be around 7 ounces. Check this out for a quick tutorial on the best way to remove the kale stems.
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More Delicious Seasonal Squash Recipes to Explore
If you’ve enjoyed this delicata squash recipe, you’ll love exploring other ways to incorporate the wonderful flavors of fall and winter squash into your cooking. Here are a few more seasonal favorites to inspire your kitchen: