This protein-packed, vegan baked acorn squash dish is perfect for the changing seasons!

Mediterranean Stuffed Acorn Squash
1 large acorn squash
2 tablespoons (27 g) extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt
Ground pepper
1 ½ (2.1 g) teaspoons Za’atar spice mix (recipe below)
1 cup (185 g) cooked quinoa (to add flavor, toast quinoa before cooking)
⅛ cup (21 g) dried cranberries
⅛ cup (17.9 g) pine nuts (toasted if desired)
¼ cup (42.5 g) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
2 scallions, chopped
⅛ cup (5 g) fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped
½ tablespoon (1.5 g) fresh chives, chopped
⅛ cup (5 g) fresh mint, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon (15 g) fresh lemon juice
¼ teaspoon (1.2 g) paprika
½ tablespoon (4.5 g) feta cheese

Za’atar Spice Blend
2 tablespoons (8 g) ground oregano
2 tablespoons (16 g) ground sumac
2 tablespoons (18 g) sesame seeds
1 tablespoon (1.7 g) ground majoram
1 tablespoon (4 g) ground thyme
1 teaspoon (7 g) sea salt

Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F
Microwave the acorn squash for 2-3 minutes to soften the skin
Cut in half lengthwise (from stem to bottom)
Scoop out the seeds and discard
Place the acorn squash on a baking sheet with the hollow hole facing up
Brush 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the halves
Sprinkle sea salt, pepper, and ½ teaspoon of za’atar spice over the halves
Turn the squash over on the baking sheet and bake for 40-45 minutes until the flesh is tender
Add quinoa, cranberries, pine nuts, cannellini beans, green onions, parsley, chives, and mint to a mixing bowl. Stir to combine
In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, paprika, and remaining teaspoon of za’atar spice
Remove the squash from the oven when finished cooking
Divide the quinoa mixture evenly into the 2 acorn squash halves
Sprinkle the feta cheese over each half
Drizzle the dressing over each half

Shelli Baxter, USANA's Executive Director of Global Nutrition Programs, is behind our USANA Kitchen series! She's a Certified Nutritionist and holds a Masters Degree in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine. Follow along for more healthy recipes and nutritional knowledge! #USANAKitchen #LiveUSANA #USANAactive

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