Delicata Squash Stuffed with Mushrooms, Farro, Pecans & Dried Cranberries

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut the Delicata in two lengthwise and carefully scoop out the seeds to make four long 'boats.' If the boats are too wobbly, take a very thin slice off of the bottom so they'll sit flat. Brush with oil and place in the oven and roast until they are soft and just starting to char a little, about 30-40 minutes.

Step 2

Meanwhile, in a large frying pan saute the onion in the grapeseed oil until it softens and just starts to turn brown. While the onions are cooking, clean the mushrooms and chop them somewhat finely (into chickpea-sized pieces.) When the onions are ready, raise the heat and add the mushrooms all at once. Spread them out so that they make as much contact with the hot pan as possible. You may need a little more oil at this point. When the mushrooms start to take on some color, stir them around a bit until they are browned and cooked through.

Step 3

Turn off the heat and stir in the minced garlic. There should be enough heat left in the pan to start to cook the garlic. After about a minute, add the soy sauce which should deglaze the pan, again with any residual heat. If the pan has cooled too much, put a low flame underneath and scrape the bottom for any brown bits. When the pan is dry and the soy sauce absorbed, add the farro, nuts and dried cranberries and stir to combine. Taste for seasonings. It should be salty enough from the soy sauce but be sure to add several grindings of pepper.

Step 4

Stir in half of fresh herbs and again taste, adding more herbs or pepper as needed. Remove the Delicata boats from the oven leaving the oven on. Using a soup spoon, fill the boats with the farro mixture, pressing lightly to pack them full and mounding them slightly. Return to the oven to heat everything through, about 8 to 10 more minutes. Place on a serving platter and sprinkle with remaining herbs and optional smoked paprika and serve hot.

Step 5

You will probably have some stuffing left over. You can serve it on the side in a bowl or reheat it the next day as a part of the leftover feast.