Lunch: Acorn Squash with Brown Rice and Turkey Sausage

Rich in vitamin A, acorn squash is loaded with flavor and provides its own elegant serving vessel. Pair this sausage-stuffed squash with a simple green salad for a delicious, satisfying meal.

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Brown Rice

Health benefits of Acorn Squash with Brown Rice and Turkey Sausage

Brown rice is a natural source of Inositol, a derivative of Vitamin B (which is often prescribed in the form of supplements for women with PCOS). Inositol can effectively control the symptoms of PCOS by reducing insulin resistance and improving insulin sensitivity.

Ingredients

2 acorn squash (about 2 1/2 pounds)
1 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 lb. sweet or hot Italian turkey or chicken sausage
1 small onion
1 medium red pepper
salt and ground black pepper
1 package precooked whole-grain brown rice (scant 2 cups)
2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley leaves

Instructions

Lightly grease microwave-safe large plate; place squash halves, cut sides down, on plate (it's OK if halves overlap slightly). Cook squash in microwave oven on High 8 to 9 minutes or until fork-tender; set aside until cool enough to handle.
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line 15 1/2" by 10 1/2" jelly-roll pan with foil. In nonstick 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add sausage and cook until browned, breaking up sausage with side of spoon. With slotted spoon, transfer sausage to large bowl.
To same skillet, add onion, red pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and cook over medium heat 6 to 8 minutes or until lightly browned and tender, stirring occasionally; add to sausage in bowl.
With spoon, scoop out squash, leaving 1/4-inch-thick shell. Add scooped-out squash to bowl with sausage; stir in rice (it is not necessary to heat rice as label directs) and parsley until combined.
Spoon sausage mixture into squash shells; place in prepared pan. Bake 20 minutes or until heated through.