The most EPIC vegetarian main: this roasted squash with a loaded vegetable stuffing. Think celery, mushroom, carrots, shallots and squash all cooked down to perfection and tossed with some toasty panko breadcrumbs, lemon juice and fresh parsley.
1 large butternut squash or 3 honey-nut squashcut in 1/2 and scooped out seeds
1/2cupchopped celery
1cuproughly chopped shiitakee mushrooms
1carrotfinely chopped
1cupbutternut squash(save from when you scooped out)
1smallshallotfinely chopped
2garlic clovesfinely chopped
1tablespoonoil
1tablespoonbalsamic vinegar
1sprig fresh thyme
1/4thteaspoondried sage
juice of 1/2 lemon(more if you prefer)
1/4thcupchoppeed parsley
2tablespoonstoasted panko
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat you oven to 400 degrees.
Begin by slicing your squash in half. Clean out the seeds and take a spoon and hollow out the squash so a stuffing can form. Save the squash to cook with the stuffing.
In a pot, start to make your stuffing by adding your celery, mushroom, carrots, squash, shallot, garlic, oil, thyme, sage and balsamic. Stir on medium high heat until all the liquid has dissolved and your vegetables are sautéed - about 20-30 minutes.
Turn the heat on low, add in your lemon juice and chopped parsley as well as toasted panko breadcrumbs. Toss well and set aside.
In the meantime, scoop your stuffing in the butternut squash cavaties. You can cook as is, or take it one step further by placing the squash halves on top of one another with both sides filled your stuffing and wrapping it with twice with twine around a few times until it's tight.
Place on a baking sheet with parchment and roast for 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes until your squash is soft.
Remove, let rest and slice in rounds carefully. Serve with your favorite sauces/gravy!