For me, the New Year is all about celebrating the gift of friendship. Thus, it is natural to peruse my recipe file, pondering the edible gifts that my cherished ones have offered over the years. This particular contribution came from longtime friend, Terry, who also happens to be my mushroom mentor.
Here's to you, dear lady, and, as always, my everlasting gratitude for generously sharing your knowledge and insight over the decades. Without your patient mentoring, I should never have developed such love of our fungal world! Without you, my world would be a much sadder place.
Terry's Acorn Squash with Wild Mushroom Cranberry Stuffing
1 1 1/2- to 1 3/4-pound acorn squash, halved lengthwise, seeded
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup dried cranberries or currants
1/4 cup hot water
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
4 ounces fresh wild mushrooms (such as shiitake), stemmed, chopped
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon dried rubbed sage
1 cup fresh whole wheat breadcrumbs
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Place squash cut side down in 8x8x2-inch glass baking dish. Cover dish tightly with plastic wrap. Microwave on high 10 minutes. Pierce plastic to let steam escape. Uncover and turn squash halves cut side up. Season cavities with salt and pepper.
- Combine dried cranberries and hot water in small bowl.
- Melt 3 tablespoons butter in heavy medium skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms, onion and sage and sauté until beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Add breadcrumbs and stir until crumbs brown lightly, about 3 minutes. Mix in cranberries with soaking liquid. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Mound stuffing into squash halves. Dot with remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Bake until heated through and crisp on top, about 10 minutes.