Stuffed Acorn Squash

This is a recipe customized from the Blog "Cookie + Kate"
Link: https://cookieandkate.com/vegetarian-stuffed-acorn-squash-recipe/

Ingredients

• 2 medium acorn squash
• 1 can of chickpeas, drained of liquid and rinsed well
• 2 tablespoons UP Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, divided
• 1 Tablespoon Gravenstein Apple White Balsamic
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt, divided
• ½ cup quinoa, rinsed
• 1 cup water
• ¼ cup dried cranberries
• ¼ cup raw pepitas, toasted (hulled pumpkin seeds)
• ¼ cup chopped green onion
• ¼ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus 1 tablespoon for garnish
• 1 clove garlic, pressed or minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ¾ cup grated Parmesano Reggiano cheese
• ½ cup crumbled goat cheese or feta

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean-up.
2. To prepare the squash, use a sharp chef’s knife to slice through it from the tip to the stem. It's usually easiest to pierce the squash in the center along a depression line, then cut through the tip, and finish by slicing through the top portion just next to the stem. Use a large spoon to scoop out the seeds and stringy bits inside, and discard those pieces. (Or keep the seeds to roast later!)
3. Place the squash halves cut side up on the parchment-lined pan. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the Extra Virgin Olive Oil over the squash, and sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon of the salt. Rub the oil into the cut sides of the squash, then turn them over so the cut sides are against the pan. Bake until the squash flesh is easily pierced through by a fork, about 30 to 45 minutes. Leave the oven on.
4. Meanwhile, cook the quinoa: In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer. Simmer, uncovered, until all of the water is absorbed, 12 to 18 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat. Cover, and let the mixture steam for 5 minutes. Uncover and fluff the quinoa with a fork.
5. Pour the fluffed quinoa mixture into a medium mixing bowl. Add the cranberries, toasted pepitas, chopped green onion, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, the remaining 1 tablespoon Olive Oil and tablespoon of Gravenstein Apple White Balsamic. Stir until the ingredients are evenly distributed. Taste and add additional salt, if necessary.
6. If the mixture is very hot, let it cool for a few minutes before adding the Parmesan cheese and goat cheese. Gently stir the mixture to combine.
7. Turn the cooked squash halves over so the cut sides are facing up. Divide the mixture evenly between the squash halves with a large spoon. Return the squash to the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until the cheesy quinoa is turning golden on top.
8. Sprinkle the stuffed squash with the remaining 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, and serve warm.