Stuffed Flying Saucer Squash
Cut the tops off six large squash. Scoop insides out leaving 1/4 inch shell. Reserve scooped out flesh.
Filling
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, pressed
reserved scooped out squash, finely chopped
1/4 cup chopped roasted green chiles
1/3 cup your favorite salsa
1/2 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
salt, pepper, and cumin to taste
1/2 cup cooked brown rice
vegan "cheese" as garnish
Saute onions and garlic in nonstick pan until onions are soft. Add squash, chilies, salsa, black beans, and seasonings. Simmer until squash is soft and most of the liquid has been released. Add rice and stir until heated through. Check seasonings and adjust if needed.
Season inside of squashes with salt and pepper. Pack filling into hollowed out squashes. Set squashes onto baking sheet. Top with vegan cheese if desired
Bake for 30 - 40 min. at 375 degrees or until squash is soft - put broiler on for a moment to melt cheese, if using.
Sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro to garnish.
Dear blogger buddies, I need some advice. My blender broke. It was a nice KitchenAid blender, but not a great one. I used it to make my Green Smoothie Dressing every week, and of course for other smoothies, ice creams, etc. I dropped my entire last batch of dressing when I was taking it out of the fridge and I’m sort of having withdrawals.
Yeh, that was fun to clean up! I really really want a VitaMix, but it’s difficult to justify that expense when money is tight. I can buy a refurbished one for a good discount and pay for it in three installments, but it’s still a LOT of money. What would you do? VitaMix with a seven year warranty or cheapo with a 90 day warranty?
22 comments:
GORGEOUS dishes!!
Ahh, so sorry about your blender :( May I highly recommend the BlendTec though??
Those squash look wonderful.
And as for your blender, I suggest that you get the VitaMix. It is more powerful, than any cheap blender you can get. That power lets you do things that you could never do with the off the shelf blender.
The squash looks wonderful. The green stuff all over the floor and walls is a sad sight. Been there done that and it wasn't fun. Even worse that it was something you really wanted. Sorry you had to deal with that. (But at least it wasn't a bottle of oil. Have you ever done that?)
If you use the blender a lot for challenging recipes and you can afford it, get the VitaMix or BlendTec. If you mostly blend salad dressings and smoothies, maybe a cheapo would be enough. My okay kitchenaid blender cost $99 minus a 20% sale and it's not that great. When I blend frozen fruit it leaves lumps. I kind of wish I'd gotten a VitaMix.
Those squash are so beautiful and the stuffing sounds delicious! I'm getting pretty excited about the autumn squashes coming in season up here.
Stink about losing the green smoothie! If nothing else, at least you got a pretty cool picture out of it--so vibrant :)
Mmm love the squash!!!
Sorry about your blender :( And the wasted food :( I long for a vitamix, but in reality I don't blend too much that would require one. My blender was a little under 100 and makes perfectly smooth smoothies and sauces, it just doesn't grind nuts into powder. So I say if you'll use it, definitely get one, if you can live without go for the best cheapie you can afford.
Have you called KitchenAid? When I had an issue with my KitchenAid Professional stand mixer, they replaced it with a new one for free, so maybe they'll do that for you with your blender. Fingers crossed!
Hahaha! I love that Jackson Pollock splatter, such a beautiful color!
And WOW! That squash is so beautiful. The photos really brought a smile to my face, thank you!
VitaMix vs. Blendtec - let's hear the arguments for and against! I've always dreamed of having a Blendtec blender... Maybe a VitaMix is better?
I don't blend enough to justify the cost of a VitaMix, but if you do and you can afford it, I say go for it. The 7 year warranty alone makes it worth the money.
My information on the VitaMix vs. the BlendTec -- they are essentially the same blender. (The VitaMix is SLIGHTLY more powerful, but it's doubtful a home cook will notice the difference.) The thing that I think is so cool about the BlendTec (besides that it's $100 cheaper,) are the "hot buttons." You can pre-program your favorite settings for things you make the most often, (i.e., dips, smoothies, dressings, etc.) and you don't have to worry about having the instruction book open to ramp the blender up and down until you get the hang of it. BlendTec thinks for you -- wahoo!
If I were to buy a fancy-schmancy blender tomorrow, I'd get a BlendTec.
P.S. I don't have a fancy-schmancy blender. I have a Bamix hand blender, which meets our needs, more or less. Hummus isn't as creamy as I'd like it to be, but it does a nice job of almost everything else!
Those are too cute!
The squash look great. It's a great idea.
All of your blender opinions are so helpful! Thanks everyone! First thing I'm going to do is call KitchenAid and see what repairs will cost, if anything.
Love the pics!!!!
Bummer about the blender! I think you should contact Vita-Mix and tell them you'd like to review one of their blenders and blog about it. Seriously. You might get a free blender out of it. ;)
Cheers,
Kristen
The squash look so beautiful and sound delicious. So sorry about your blender, I hope you'll get a free one from Vita-Mix!!!
p.s. You've got an award from me because your blog makes me smile:)
I love pattypan squash! I don't think I've ever had any large enough to stuff though. Yours look fantastic!
Too bad about your blender, and double too bad about the dressing! I have been buying cheap blender after cheap blender and they always break. Eventually I'll just have to splurge and get a VitaMix, but for now it's the $40 blender from Target :)
What a great looking recipe! Re: blender, do you know how old the second hand one is? If it's less than 7 years, then it might be worth it (since I wouldn't expect it to break down until AFTER the warranty period). I love my VitaMix but must admit I don't use it as much as I thought I would. Not sure I'd buy such an expensive one again--though I might use it more once I'm back on my regular diet.
I love flying saucer squash. They're cute! (Is it weird to call a vegetable cute? lol)
I can't justify spending that much money on a VitaMix, I'd go with the cheapo.
bahaha!! That's actually so awesome that your blender decided to go in a blaze of glory! And a green blaze, too. Looks like a vegan's version of the Shining. :D
I'm always looking for different ways to cook squash- This one is going into the files!
You know me and my Vitamix... but I would still recommend that you buy a quality blender now, instead of being dissatisfied with a lessor one and still wanting the Vitamix. Just my 2 cents.
The squashes are perfect for stuffing as you have so beautifully shown us! Sorry about the blender. I'd go for the new one you want with all the use you'll get from it.
What a great idea for patty pan squash! If you can find them, 8-ball zucchini is super good for stuffing.
As much as I'd like to have a Vitamix, it really isn't necessary. Even though it might be a little better, you can still use a regular (and much cheaper) blender to make everything with, and it usually turns out about the same.
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