Farmer’s Market Recipe: Turkey and Quinoa Stuffed Pattypan Squash

July 5th, 2011 admin

During the past couple of weeks my CSA box has included large, round, yellow squash that I have never seen, nor have I tasted before.  So, I was posed with two challenges.  The challenge of trying to figure out exactly what it was and the challenge of trying to figure out just what to do with them so, that they didn’t go to waste. I finally came to the conclusion that I was in possession of Pattypan Squash.  These were large, bright yellow, and just some of the most beautiful squash ever!  It is just a tragedy that my husband has convinced himself that he doesn’t like squash.  I never thought I was a squash lover either, until now.  Pattypan squash can be in found in various sizes and come in yellow, and light green.  Turkey and quinoa stuffed pattypan squash is such a treat!  They have this fabulous nutty flavor.  If you find some pattypans and get the chance to try it out, let me know what you think.

I was told by Barb at My Sister’s Kitchen, that Pattypans are lovely grilled with sea salt and sesame oil.  That really does sound yummy!  But, I had two problems, my husband does the grilling around here (and he wasn’t home to throw them on) on a charcoal grill, and I didn’t have any sesame oil on hand.  Maybe, we will have to try that one in the future.  So, I searched the internet for hours and wasn’t satisfied with a single Pattypan recipe that I found, and dreamed up this one instead. It was wonderful!  I know you’ll love it too!

You’ll have to excuse my photos though.  I had grand ideas for gorgeous photos and life got in the way.  Like it usually does.  So, I have a few that I hope will make you hungry enough to try out this recipe! This recipe is terribly nutritious, and will having you craving it for a mouth watering meal.

Turkey and Quinoa Stuffed Pattypan Squash

2 or 3 large pattypans (or 6 or so small ones)
3/4lb ground turkey
1 cup Quinoa
2 cups Chicken stock (preferably homemade)
1/2 onion chopped
3 or 4 cloves of garlic chopped
1/4 cup graded Parmesan cheese
sea salt, pepper, rosemary, marjoram to taste

1. Set oven temp to 375 F.

2. Cook your Quinoa in your chicken broth.  (This way it will be even more nutritious.)

3. Slice the tops of your pattypans and dig out the insides.  Leave about 1/4 to an 1/2 an inch on the insides.

4. Season generously the inside of  pattypans with salt and pepper.  Set in greased pan, and bake in preheated oven for 15 -20 minutes.

5. Brown your turkey, and part way through add part of your scooped out squash, onions, and garlic.  Season with salt, pepper, rosemary, and marjoram to taste.  Mix in cooked quinoa, and graded Parmesan cheese.

6. Stuff into pattypan, and bake in oven for 375 for another 15-20 minutes.  You can add a little more graded Parmesan on the top if you like! yummy! Serve with sides or all by itself.