Moroccan-Spiced Stuffed Winter Squash

Here is the second stuffed squash recipe I experimented with!  Delicious and a little more health conscious with the use of brown rice as opposed to bread.  I made mine with farro and it was delicious and even more healthy!  I also used venison my husband hunted and we processed which is pretty cool.  But the lean grassfed beef the recipe calls for is good choice as well!  Ground anything would work well in this recipe! 

Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Serves: 4 to 5 people

Ingredients:

• 4 servings cooked brown rice *prepare beforehand
• 2 winter squash
• 1 pound grass-fed beef
• 1 large onion
• 2 to 3 cloves garlic
• 1 large bell pepper or equivalent
• Spices to taste: 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon curry, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon coriander, 1/2 teaspoon ginger, dash of cayenne pepper, dash of cloves, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 cup raisins or cranberries

Instructions:

1. Prepare rice.
2. Cut squash in half with checkered slices and de-seed. Then roast for 30 to 40 minutes.
3. While squash is cooking, brown ground beef. Add onions and garlic, to brown; peppers and any other vegetables; salt and spices; until fragrant; and raisins last.
4. Combine beef mixture and rice, then add more spices or salt if needed.
5. When squash is cooked and tender, add a heaping ladle-ful of beef and rice mixture to the hollow of the squash. It’s okay if some spills out—it adds to the charm!
6. Serve hot, and enjoy!
Variations:
• Chop up an apple, sauté with onions and peppers
• Add more vegetables: peas, carrots, spinach
• Add some nuts: toasted pine nuts or pistachios add a nice nutty flair
• Mix up the meat: Make with sausage, chicken or bits of bacon
• Chop up squash and mix together with other ingredients for a “one-pot” meal