I know it’s long past Thanksgiving, but I enjoy Thanksgiving dinner all year long. I buy an extra turkey during the holidays just so I can roast it when I need those comforting holiday aromas to fill the air, providing that sense of peace the holidays bring.
Turkey Stuffed Acorn Squash
So . . . while my fellow food bloggers are firing up their grills and posting recipes abundant with spring produce and smoky grilled meats, I’m roasting my turkey in the oven, and enjoying the leftovers.
I’m not completely crazy – you should give it a try.
To go along with my adoration of turkey, is my obsession with winter acorn squash. I love their mildly sweet taste, and the fact that they provide a natural container for anything I want to stuff into them.
Mexican inspired versions are often on the dinner plate, but I was on a turkey kick, so why not a Thanksgiving inspired acorn squash recipe?
Turkey Stuffed Acorn Squash
I consider this a low calorie dish, but it isn’t necessarily low in Weight Watcher points. You can reduce the points by eliminating the garbanzo beans and adding a little more turkey. There’s plenty of fiber and protein in this meal without the beans, I just happened to have some in the frig waiting to be put to use.
Happy, healthy cooking!
Ingredients
- 1 large acorn squash, halved and seeded
- 1 cup turkey breast, cooked and cubed - or 1 cup cooked ground turkey breast
- â…” cup garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 tablespoons low calorie honey Dijon salad dressing
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons shallot, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons dried cranberries
- 1 teaspoon rosemary, finely minced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Combine turkey, garbanzo beans, salad dressing, syrup, shallot, dried cranberries and rosemary in a bowl.
- Fill each acorn squash with 1/2 the turkey mixture and bake for 1 1/2 hours covered with foil until squash is tender.
Notes
Calories: 385 Weight Watchers PointsPlus 10 Total Fat: 5.30g Cholesterol: 53mg Sodium: 430mg Total Carbs: 59.20g Dietary Fiber: 7.73g Sugars: 14.14g Protein: 26.50g
If you’re looking for healthy and low calorie Weight Watchers recipes, check out my Recipe page. You’ll find hundreds of recipes that include nutrition information and Weight Watchers points.
Please see disclaimer for further details. Nutrition information is compiled with MacGourmet. If you find discrepancies, please let me know. It’s important to me that I provide you with accurate information.
Last updated by at .
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Oooh, you’ve inspired me to add turkey to our menu! There’s still a bit of winter in the air. Beautiful dish~
Liz recently posted…Raspberry Streusel Bars…Guest Post~
I’m such a fan of turkey, and it’s so cheap during the holidays and freezes well. I’m especially happy when they have just the breasts with bone-in on sale!
Not a bad way to have great turkey throughout the year!
Belinda @zomppa recently posted…Ramen: Frank Food
I cook turkey year year-round too! You should try it on the grill sometime – terrific flavor. Anyway, because I like turkey and eat it often, I’m always looking for recipes for leftover turkey. This looks great – and a good use for squash, another fav food. Good post – thanks.
We grilled a turkey one time when the power went out on Thanksgiving. It turned out pretty good considering it wasn’t our original plan!
Ooh, that looks delicious. It’s only about 50 degrees up here, so the grilling hasn’t commenced yet. Turkey sounds divine!
Cucina49 recently posted…A Pox on Your House, Thomas Keller
We’re about the same weather too. We had a wonderfully sunny weekend though. You can’t beat Seattle when the sun shines.
Wow, this stuffed acorn looks delicious with all the stuff in it. It sure makes a great meal Kristi.
Hope you are having a nice week
Juliana recently posted…Tilapia with Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
I’m always happy when I can pack veggies and protein in a single dish. Enjoy the rest of your week.
interesting delicious combination
torviewtoronto and createwithmom recently posted…Apple cinnamon bread pudding and butter bell crock
I totally understand – I just recently got a huge hankering for a good sweet potato dish (and added it to my menu for next week). I’m glad I’m not the only one!
Jess recently posted…Strawberry, Basil & Balsamic Smoothie
You aren’t – when I need comfort food it’s usually a winter favorite like this.
It’s rainy and windy over here…well..rather cold. This would make a perfect lunch for me.
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted…Nutella Spelt Cookies with Pistachios
Yesterday was a beautiful day here in Seattle, but today is back to rain again. We take it when we can get it here. Have a good week.
I love acorn squash! It went back to cold again tonight and I made stew – I would love to eat this nice warm stuffed acorn squash! Very beautiful idea to put turkey and cranberry in there.
Nami | Just One Cookbook recently posted…Sake Mojito – Guest Post by Family Spice
We get a few warm days and think spring is here, then it gets cold again fur us too. Have a good week.
Aw I feel the same way! There’s time when you just want Thanksgiving all over again. Lol, when the craving hits I always buy a bone-in turkey breast and invite people over
I’ll definitely haev to try this – I love that you stuffed it in a squash – totally Thanksgiving all over again
I’ve been so busy lately that I just needed comfort food!
I’m not too much in tune with the blogosphere right now either. In fact I roasted something similar this evening! I was without maple syrup however, so I am envious!
kale recently posted…how to barter when you don’t like to barter: Otavalo Market, Ecuador
Life gets too busy sometimes and I often get behind catching up with my blogging buddies.