Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash

From the Kitchen of Good Life Eats

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Ingredients

• 2 acorn squash (about 1 1/2 lb. each), rinsed

• 1/2 cup apple cider

• 2 teaspoons canola or olive oil

• 1/2 cup chopped onion

• 1 Gala or Honeycrisp Apple (1/2 lb. total), cored and chopped

• 1 Golden Delicious or Granny Smith (1/2 lb. total), cored and chopped

• 1/4 cup golden raisins

• 1/4 cup dried cranberries

• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon fresh minced sage

• 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme

• salt, to taste

• 1/4 cup chopped pecans

• 1/4 cup maple syrup

• 2 teaspoons brown sugar

• optional add-in: 8 ounces cooked and crumbled turkey sausage

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INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cut each squash in half; scoop out seeds. Place each half, cavity side down, in a 9- by 13-inch baking pan.

2. Pour apple cider in the bottom of the pan, cover the pan with foil and bake in a 350° F oven until tender when pierced, about 45 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, heat 2 teaspoons olive oil. Add onion, apples, golden raisins, cranberries, cinnamon, sage and thyme; stir often until apples are tender when pierced, 8 to 10 minutes.

4. If desired, add 8 ounces cooked and crumbled turkey sausage. Season to taste with salt. Stir in pecans.

5. Uncover squash and turn halves upright. Brush edges and inside with the remaining apple cider in the bottom of the pan; fill equally with apple mixture.

6. Drizzle equally with maple syrup.

7. Sprinkle edges with brown sugar and bake, uncovered, until filling is slightly browned on top, about 15 minutes longer.