Wild Rice Stuffed Delicata Squash

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(Note: this post was originally published on December 4, 2020. The date above reflects migration to the new platform.)

A Celebration-Worthy Centerpiece

This holiday season, I'm excited to be sharing with you one of my absolute favorite dishes to make for a special late fall or winter occasion: these festive, comforting, and nourishing wild rice stuffed delicata squash halves. These can easily act as a main dish for plant-based eaters and a side dish for meat eaters, so they're the perfect addition to any holiday meal.

Everything about this dish is so festive and special because all of the ingredients are such classic winter holiday symbols. Citrus! Pomegranate! Decadent fresh figs! Walnuts! Rosemary! Everything here reminds me of the holiday table at my Italian grandmother's house.

There's something about stuffing a squash that's so symbolic of a special holiday meal. In reality, stuffed squash is pretty easy and hands-off to prepare, but yet it just seems so intricate. This is definitely a meal that you can make all winter long, yet also pull out for a special get-together because it's such a show-stopper.

Wild rice stuffed delicata squash on a platter, with dressing alongside

Festive Ingredients

Are you familiar with delicata squash? It's my secret winter squash weapon! Their long shape and striped skin are really beautiful, but perhaps more importantly they're the easiest, fastest winter squash to cook. The skin is edible, so there's no peeling, and they cook much faster than other types of winter squash. Just scoop out the seeds and roast away!

The other main ingredient here is wild rice, which takes a little while to cook but is completely worth it. You'll toss the wild rice in a flavorful dressing while it's still hot, which is my favorite way of encouraging rice to soak up flavor. Add in dried cranberries for sweetness, crunchy walnuts, and some very festive garnishes and you have yourself a totally holiday-worthy centerpiece.

Wild rice stuffed delicata squash with seasonal fruit

Oil & Vinegar Magic

I'm very happy to be collaborating with Saratoga Olive Oil to bring you this festive winter recipe. This is actually our second recipe together; remember to check out our Grilled Peach and Farro Salad too!

This stuffed squash makes use of two of Saratoga Olive Oil's most decadent, cozy, wintry products: Vermont Maple Balsamic and Rosemary Olive Oil. The combination of the two is utter winter perfection, and the sweetness of the balsamic is the most wonderful complement to the earthiness and herbaceousness of the oil.

Looking to get your hands on these beauties?? Saratoga Olive Oil ships! They have a gorgeous assortment of infused olive oils, dark balsamic vinegars, and white balsamic vinegars, as well as single-origin oils and infused sea salts. I'm very lucky to work about a mile from the store, and I walk down all the time with my empty bottles for refills.

Wild rice stuffed delicata squash with bottles of oil and vinegar

Make it Your Own

Looking to change this recipe up? I've made it with great success using all sorts of other winter squashes (kabocha is my favorite alternative). I highly suggest adding some caramelized onions to the filling if you don't mind an extra step. You can use pecans instead of walnuts, switch up the garnishes, or use brown rice instead of wild rice. If I'm feeling really over the top, I mix in some veggie sausage that I've browned in a skillet. This recipe is really flexible, so do what you love!

If you're planning to serve this at a big holiday meal, you can easily double the recipe. The leftovers are absolutely divine, so don't hesitate to make more than you think you'll need. I've also included suggestions below for how to prep this dish in advance in order to make things more efficient on the day of the big meal.

Make-Ahead Tips

This dish is make-ahead friendly for easy holiday entertaining. If you want to prepare these festive squash halves ahead of time, you can easily make the stuffing (rice, dressing, cranberries, and walnuts) and roast the squash a day or two in advance. Store them separately for best results. To reheat, a microwave works great and keeps them moist; otherwise, stuff the squashes and put them in a 350 degree oven in a covered baking dish until warmed through. Add the garnishes (pomegranate, citrus slices, figs) just before serving.

Wild rice stuffed delicata squash on a platter, garnished with seasonal fruit

Let's Talk Ingredients

Here's what you'll need for this recipe, as well as some thoughts, tips, and possible substitutions. If you make any substitutions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.

  • Saratoga Olive Oil Vermont Maple Balsamic. Or any other fall-inspired balsamic like their Fig, Cranberry Pear, or Pomegranate. If you can't get your hands on something like that, I'd use 3 tbsp regular balsamic and 1 tbsp maple syrup.
  • Saratoga Olive Oil Rosemary Olive Oil. Or any other fall herby oil like their Herbes de Provence or Tuscan Herb. Otherwise, use any robustly-flavored oil and a palmful of very finely chopped fresh rosemary.
  • Fresh thyme
  • Orange
  • Salt and pepper
  • Wild rice. I love really long-grained varieties. Check the bulk bins if you have anatural foods store near you.
  • Unsweetened dried cranberries
  • Walnuts
  • Delicata squash
  • Pomegranate arils
  • Small citrus fruits. Either mandarins or clementines are fine.
  • Fresh figs
  • Flaky finishing salt. I absolutely love fleur de sel.

Wild rice stuffed delicata squash on a platter, shown in a kitchen

Closing Thoughts

Isn't special holiday food just the best?? I think dishes like this are so nostalgic and comforting. Having a platter of these stuffed squash halves at your holiday get-together will be such a treat for any plant-based eaters but will also be loved by non-herbivores just as much. This dish is such a celebration of seasonal produce and special holiday ingredients.

Happy holidays! Hope your Solstice and everything else you celebrate are filled with happiness and love.

Wild rice stuffed delicata squash on a platter, with oil and vinegar bottles

Share It!

It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.

Suggested Pairings

Holiday Spiced Rum Punch

Maple Sea Salt Hummus

Raw Cranberry Pomegranate Sauce

Apple Cider Harvest Salad

No-Bake Ginger Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Pie

Disclosure: This recipe has been developed through a paid partnership with Saratoga Olive Oil. However, all opinions and thoughts are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep The Rogue Brussel Sprout running.

Wild Rice Stuffed Delicata Squash

This festive main course is a celebration of seasonal produce in all its glory. Sweet delicata squash gets stuffed with chewy wild rice, crunchy walnuts, juicy holiday fruits, and lots of fragrant herbs for an unforgettable holiday centerpiece.

Author:
Lee

Ingredients

For the Dressing

For the Squash

  • 1 c long-grained wild rice
  • 0.25 c unsweetened dried cranberries
  • 0.25 c chopped walnuts
  • 2 large or 3 small delicata squashes
  • Handful of pomegranate arils
  • Slices of a couple mandarins or clementines
  • Handful of fresh figs, cut into quarters
  • Generous sprinkle of flaky finishing salt

Instructions

  1. Make the dressing and set it aside; I like to let it sit for a little while so that the flavors can meld (hint: double the dressing recipe and use the extra for fall salads!).
  2. Cook the wild rice as directed. Note that it may take as long as an hour if you use a long-grain rice.
  3. While the rice is cooking, prepare the squash. Preheat the oven to 425. Cut the ends off the squash, cut each in half lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds. Bake cut-side down in a well-oiled baking dish for 30-45 minutes, depending on the size of the squash. You want them to be tender throughout but still holding their shape. Make sure not to over-cook them since they'll collapse when you try to stuff them.
  4. When all of the water has evaporated from the rice, leave the heat on low and add in the dressing, cranberries, and walnuts. Give it all a good toss and let it sit on the heat for another few minutes so that the rice absorbs all the flavors of the dressing and the cranberries plump up.
  5. Transfer the squash halves to a serving platter, then fill each squash half with the wild rice stuffing.
  6. When you're ready to serve, garnish with pomegranate arils, citrus slices, and fresh figs. Finish it all off with a sprinkle of sea salt.
  7. Serve any extra stuffing on the side, or make a bed of it underneath the squash halves.

Leave a Comment

Please Share Your Thoughts!

Did you make this recipe? Did you make substitutions? How did you serve it? Any helpful tips? Please share your thoughts, since these insights are really useful to both me and to other readers.

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Mariela Marrero
December 12, 2022
This recipe is so delicious! Delicata squash is one of my favorite. Perfect for citrus season and winter!!
Triss D
October 26, 2022
Wow! This is show stopping! What a beautiful centerpiece
Anisha
December 22, 2021
Oh my. Lee, you have a way with vegetables that gets me so excited! I love delicata squash on its own, so stuffing them like this sounds incredible.
Pamela
December 18, 2020
This dinner is as pretty as it is delicious. The juicy citrus with savory squash was wonderful. Once the pomegranate is prepared, it’s easy and fast enough for a week night meal. This will be on our repeat list!