Delicata Stuffed With Wild Mushrooms & Herbs
Medicinal mushrooms such as maitake (Grifola frondosa) and shiitake (Lentinula edodes) have polysaccharides called beta glucans, which may be responsible for their immune-stimulating benefits ranging from fighting colds to thwarting cancer. Bulgur, a nutritious whole grain, reduces the risk of cancer and heart disease.
Serves 4
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 celery stalks
1 cup finely diced green beans
1 cup shiitake mushrooms
1/2 cup maitake or portobello mushrooms
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon sea salt.
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup bulgur
1/2 cup finely minced parsley
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon paprika
3/4 cup vegetable stock
2 Delicata squash
1/2 cup water
1. Place bulgur in a medium saucepan. Add 1 1/2 cups boiling water and soak for 1 hour. Drain through a fine-mesh sieve. Leave in sieve set over bowl to continue to drain.
2. Wipe the mushrooms with a damp paper towel to clean them. Dry thoroughly, slice and set aside. Lightly oil a sauté pan with olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon of water. Gently sauté celery, green beans and mushrooms on low heat for 4 to 5 minutes. While sautéing add lemon juice and season with salt and ground pepper. Continue to sauté for 5 minutes more, remove, and set aside in a large bowl.
3. Add bulgur, parsley, oregano, paprika and 1/4 cup vegetable stock to large bowl of sautéed vegetables. Toss well.
4. Split squash in half and scoop out seeds and membranes. Place squash in shallow baking dish, mounding squash cavities with mushroom-bulgur mixture. Add 1/2 cup vegetable stock and 1/2 cup of water. Cover with foil on roasting pan and bake 350 for approximately one hour or until squash is tender.