November 18, 2013

Chorizo and black bean stuffed delicata squash boats

Serving plate of a chorizo and black bean stuffed delicata squash half.

So delicata squash has to be one of my most favorite food discoveries over the past few years. I never ate one of these little beauties until a few years ago. 

Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase an item from these links, a small percentage goes to support the work of this blog. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

If you haven't tried these squash yet, please add them to your grocery list right now! They have a dense, sweet flesh that tastes like a cross between butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and corn to me. They are small and you can eat the skin once it is cooked, plus the layer of flesh is relatively thin, making them perfect for stuffing and relatively quick-cooking. 

The flavor of delicatas often makes me lean in the direction of southwest flavors and these boats are no exception. The sweetness of the squash paired really nicely with the spiced-up smoky filling. Plus, you don't have to scoop out the filling and squash, just cut it across with a knife and east everything! 

I allow one squash (two halves per person) and this filling should fill 3-4 squash.

Baking dish of finished chorizo and black bean stuffed delicata squash boats.

Chorizo and black bean stuffed delicata squash boats
3-4 delicata squash, halved lengthwise and seeds removed (save the seeds for roasting)
olive oil
1/3 cup white rice, cooked to package directions
2 smoked chorizo sausages, cut lengthwise into quarters and then sliced
1 small red onion, diced
1 small jalapeno, or other small chili, seeded and minced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 can (15-16 oz.) black beans, drained
sea and and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup minced cilantro, plus more for garnish
about 1/2 - 3/4 cup grated white cheddar cheese
salsa, for serving, optional
sour cream, for serving, optional

Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees. Drizzle a little olive oil in a large baking dish or rimmed baking sheet. Place the cleaned delicata squash cut-side down and bake until your can pierce the skin with a fork, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and flip the squash over for stuffing. Turn the oven up to 400 degrees.

While the squash cooks, prepare the filling. Warm about a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet. Add the chorizo, onion, jalapeno, and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until the veggies become softened. Stir in the smoked paprika, black beans, and cooked rice. Let warm through. Season with salt and pepper and then stir in the cilantro. 

Spoon the filling into the baked squash halves. Top each with some cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted, about 5-7 minutes. Top with extra cilantro and serve with your favorite salsa and/or sour cream, if desired.

Top view of a finished chorizo and black bean stuffed delicata squash boat.

16 comments:

  1. I love winter squash and this is SUCH a good use of it. YUM!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Crazy as it sounds, I've been eating a lot of black beans, cilantro, smoked paprika spiked things at the tail end of this flu so this is right up my alley right now!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love this, perfect simple weeknight supper!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow, what a great way to prepare delicata squash...I can only imagine my fork digging into this...yum!
    Have a great week Amy :D

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have to admit, I've never tried delicata squash before, but your description of it as a combination of butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and corn has me hooked! Those are 3 of my favorite things, all of which I love with beans and cheese!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have yet to try delicate squash -but I can imagine how these boats taste! Awesome combination of black beans and chorizo! And that melted cheese on top! Simply Scrumptious looking

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Amy! What a great idea to make delicate squash into delicious boats, and a meal all its own. We love chorizo and black beans and the combo together makes its even better. You definitely inspired us to try this with delicate squash. Thanks for a delicious recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  8. LOVE this combination of flavors in the filling. And the way you described the flavor of delicata is spot on. So tasty!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love stuffed squash, of pretty much any kind. Yours look delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a terrific looking dish! I love chorizo and black beans. It's such a great idea to use it as a stuffing in a squash. YUM!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Delicious looking squash!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Why have I not stuffed squash yet? This looks so yummy and hearty (but minus the meat for me!). What a perfect winter dish.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Squash boats are always so much fun! And you can do so many inventive things with them - like fill them with this great mix of flavors. Really good stuff - thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  14. So yummy!! I love stuffed squashes and this looks so hearty :). All that chorizo and beans...amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Looks lovely Amy. Thankyou for sharing!

    ReplyDelete

I love to hear from you!