Maple Smoked Acorn Squash with Mushroom Lentils
is sponsored by Western BBQ Products! Thank you!
Maple Smoked Acorn Squash has many raving reviews! Such as “deep flavor”, “tantalizing”, and “such a smoky decadence”! In addition, slicing into a smoked squash ring feels like cutting into the most tender Filet Mignon! And the smoky mushrooms dotted on earthy lentils deliver the fulfillment of eating a Holiday dinner. Therefore, maple smoked, and glazed acorn squash will be served for a scrumptious holiday vegetarian entree!
VEGETARIAN ENTRÉE or SIDE DISH
As you know, finding an entrée recipe for non-meat eaters, for Thanksgiving dinner, is tricky! Look no farther! I can guarantee that this recipe is my “most loved” vegetarian main course, actually at any time of year! In addition, serving this dish as a side dish gets diners chattering!
WHAT IS ACORN SQUASH
Because of its subtle sweet and buttery flavor, acorn squash is delicious as a smoky side dish or stuffed for a main course. When grilled or smoked the skin is tender and edible. Acorn squash is one of the healthiest holiday vegetables! It is packed with more calcium and potassium than other winter squash.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WINTER AND SUMMER SQUASH
The difference between winter and summer squash is the skin! Winter squash has a thicker, tough rind. The rind allows the squash to stay on the vine longer and endure low outdoor temperatures.
Summer squash is quickly harvested before fully maturing. The skin is tender, full of flavor, and delicious.
When it comes to smoking and grilling, winter squash is quite different from summer squash! Familiar summer squash varieties are green zucchini, Chayote, yellow zucchini patty pan, and yellow crookneck. Summer squash is delicious when quickly grilled over medium-high direct heat. On the contrary, winter squash loves low and slow heat! When smoking winter squash look for butternut, kabocha, acorn, and Delicata.
WHY SMOKE ACORN SQUASH
Roasting winter squash in the oven produces a sweet caramelization. Moreover, infuse the squash with maple smoke on the grill and you have an #OffTheCharts experience!
The smoky sweet flavor infuses the acorn squash to bring depth of flavor, and fulfilling satisfaction in each bite. Seriously, I feel “well-being” sinking into every fiber of my body when I eat smoked winter squash! I know, you think I am exaggerating! So here is my challenge! Make this recipe and see what you experience in your first few bites! I will anxiously be waiting for your reply!
HOW TO SERVE SMOKED ACORN SQUASH
I love experiencing the flavors in smoked acorn squash with smoked mushroom lentils! But hey, maybe you are leery of the earthy meaty taste in lentils. If so, maple smoke the acorn squash and drizzle with maple syrup. Then top the squash rings with buttery smoked mushrooms without the lentils! Scrumptious!
WHAT SMOKING CHIPS GO WITH WINTER SQUASH
There are quite a few Western BBQ Smoking Chips that are excellent when smoking squash. A few of my favorites are the lighter woods like maple, pecan, cherry, and apple. And yes, you can smoke with oak but hickory and mesquite are too strong.
CAN ACORN SQUASH SKIN BE EATEN
I am excited to report that smoked acorn squash is deliciously edible! Peeling the skin is not necessary! Especially when smoked, the skin becomes soft and adds texture. Of course, some people will eat around it but I sure do love eating the skin. The skin stays soft even when reheated in the microwave.
Beware! The multi-colored squash in my photos is called Carnival Squash. The skin is a bit tougher than the acorn squash. When leftover Carnival Squash is heated in the microwave it can toughen. So even if the Carnival Squash is showier, you might want to stick with Acorn Squash if you think you will have leftovers.
CAN LENTIL STUFFED ACORN SQUASH BE MADE AHEAD
Yes! Planning ahead for holiday cooking is a must! After all, there is only so much room on the grills, smoker, and oven. I love that this entrée or side dish can be made 3 days in Yes! Planning ahead for holiday cooking is always a challenge! After all, there is only so much room on the grills, smoker, and oven. I love that this entrée or side dish can be made 3 days in advance and reheated! Reheat individual servings 2 minutes, on high, in the microwave. Or arrange stuffed squash in a large roasting pan. Add 1/4-inch of water in the pan, cover, and bake at 400°F for 25 minutes, or until warm.
HOW TO PREPARE ACORN SQUASH
I am all about ease! In order to cut the winter squash, soften it in the microwave! Softening the squash for 5 minutes, but not fully cooking it, will help to cut all the way through safely. Furthermore, you save time when smoking the acorn squash on the grill! Lastly, scrapping the seeds out with a grapefruit spoon is super effective!
Check how to How to Use a Smoker Box on a Gas Grill.
Maple Smoked Acorn Squash with Smoky Mushroom Lentils
Maple smoked acorn squash rings with smoked mushroom butter drizzled lentils! A deeply satisfying dish that is a delicious Thanksgiving vegetarian entrée or side-dish!
Ingredients
For Acorn Squash:
- 2 cups Western BBQ Peach Smoking Chips
- 2 acorn squash
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 tablespoon Jack Daniel’s Steak Seasoning
For Smoky Mushroom Lentils:
- 1 17 oz) package fully cooked steamed lentils
- 8 ounces whole mushrooms, favorite vary
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- 1 large garlic clove, grated
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
- 1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon Jack Daniel’s Steak Seasoning
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- To Prepare Gas Grill:
- Clean grill grates.
- Place Western Maple Smoking Chips in a smoker box.
- Adjust grill for 300°F- 350°F indirect heat. Place the smoker box on the grill grate, the hottest burner.
- Place a cast iron or other grill approved griddle on grill grates over the indirect heat. Close the grill lid and wait 10 minutes before checking on the development of smoke.
- Meanwhile, prepare squash and mushrooms.
- After 10-15 minutes a steady stream of smoke should have developed.
- The grill is now ready for smoking the acorn squash and mushrooms.
To Prepare Acorn Squash:
- Soften whole squash in the microwave, on high, for 5-6 minutes before cutting.
- Cut and discard 1-inch off the pointed end of each squash.
- Slice squash into 1 1/2-inch rings.
- Scrap and discard all squash seeds and membranes.
- Brush squash rings on each side with oil, and sprinkle with steak seasoning.
- Place prepared acorn squash rings and whole mushrooms onto a greased griddle.
- Smoke squash for 10-15 minutes or until light brown on the bottom side. Mushrooms smoke for the same time.
- Turn acorn squash over, and continue to smoke mushrooms for 10 minutes.
- Remove mushrooms from griddle, cool, chop, and transfer to a small cast iron skillet. Leave squash on griddle and fill each ring with 1/2 cup prepared lentils. *instructions below
- When the squash begins to brown on the second side, melt mushroom butter on the grill. *instructions below.
- Pour melted mushroom butter over lentils. Smoke squash with lentils and mushroom butter for 10 minutes.
- Drizzle squash and lentils with maple syrup and cook for 5 minutes, or until squash is tender.
- Remove the griddle from the grill with BBQ gloves. Squeeze lemon juice over the entire dish.
- Serve Maple Smoked Acorn Squash with Mushroom Lentils on griddle.
To Prepare Smoky Mushroom Lentils:
- Steam lentils in the microwave as directed on the package, and place into a medium bowl.
- Smoke mushrooms on the acorn squash griddle for 20-25 minutes. Cool mushrooms and chop.
- Combine butter, garlic, rosemary and seasoning in a small cast iron skillet. Place the skillet over high heat on the grill to melt butter. Add mushrooms, parsley, and lemon juice. Pour mushroom butter evenly over lentils in squash rings.
Notes
If you want to slice and smoke your acorn squash, for a veggie tray, it will take about 20 -25 minutes, flipping halfway through. When you start to cook, brush squash with cooking oil and sprinkle with seasoning. During the last 5 minutes of cooking brush with a maple glaze. Be sure to add Western BBQ Smoking Chips for added deliciousness!
For most smoked and grill recipes head to Western BBQ Products
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