This is what savory dreams are made of. Impress your family or friends with this dish that’s as tasty as it is beautiful.

Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes | Makes 3 Servings

Ingredients

  • 3 acorn squash
  • 12 oz country sausage
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 2 stalks of celery, diced
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 Tbsp fresh sage, chopped (or 2 tsp dried sage)
  • 1 cup wild rice mix
  • 2 ¼ cups vegetable broth
  • 4 cups kale, chopped
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 Tbsp sherry vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp panko breadcrumbs
  • 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • Kosher salt
  • Black pepper

Preheat oven to 375F. Cut a small amount off of the bottom of the squash to make a flat surface, then cut about an inch off the top. Clean out the seeds, then rub them all over with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place the tops of the squash back on, and bake for 50 minutes.

In a large pot, add 1 Tbsp of olive oil and the country sausage. Cook over medium heat until browned, breaking it up into small pieces. Remove the sausage and set it aside, leaving behind any remaining fat.

In the remaining fat, add the onion and celery, and sauté until softened. Then, add the garlic and sage, cooking until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in rice, vegetable broth, and 1 tsp of salt. Stir, and bring the pot to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover with a lid, and simmer for 30 minutes. 

Mix the kale with the wild rice, then put the lid back on and cook for an additional 5 minutes, until all the liquid has been absorbed and the kale is tender. Turn off the heat and fluff the rice with a fork. Add the cooked sausage, parmesan cheese, another ½ tsp salt, and a splash of sherry vinegar. Divide the rice mixture among the squash and top with panko.

Turn the oven to broil, and cook for about 2 minutes until the tops are golden brown.

Kristen Rosania is a Memphis-based meal prep chef, recipe developer, and the creator behind @forlemonsake, a social channel showcasing that home-cooked is always best. She believes in cooking real food with real ingredients, giving your body what it truly deserves. Find more information at Forlemonsake.com and follow along @forlemonsake on Instagram and Facebook.