This is literally the best time of year to showcase seasonal eating. When the world is tired of hearing of pumpkin spice everything, I am still reveling in the fact that so many people are conscious of bringing seasonal foods to the table this time of year.

From apples pies and cider, to pumpkin lattes and muffins, I love it all. For me the real star of the season is winter squash. There probably as many varieties of winter squash as heirloom tomatoes and I had the immense privilege of planting several varieties in a 30 X 12 foot plot of land and watching it grow into 233 pounds of harvestable squash!

It is a great feeling, processing all of those beautiful squashes knowing they will feed my family for many months. So there will be no shortage of recipes featuring various kinds of winter squash on this blog in the coming months, so get ready!

One of our household favorites is the Delicata. Not only does it have a lovely name, it is beautiful to look upon and it has a very sweet taste. To me, it is also one of the most culinary versatile squash – great in soups, yummy roasted or sautéed (skin on) and a perfect vessel for stuffing as this recipe highlights. Plus, it is great for storage. In years past, I have had delicatas on my countertop for months without spoiling. If you have a root cellar, which I do not yet, they will last even longer I bet.

If you are like me, you might already be planning your Thanksgiving menu! This is a great dish to add.

So if you are looking for a perfectly autumnal meal for the season, this is it… and there isn’t even any pumpkin spice!

INGREDIENTS:

4 Delicata squash
1 cup of dry cubed bread (I used [url:2]Udi’s Gluten Free White Sandwich Bread[/url])
1 TBS coconut oil
1 lb. ground pork
1 small onion
2 cloves of garlic
2 teaspoons of beau monde (blend of salt, onion powder, celery powder, clove, bay leaf, nutmeg, allspice, mace)
1 TBS crumbled sage
salt & pepper to taste
¼ cup white wine
1/3 cup Pecorino Romano
¼ cup dried cranberries
½ cup of broth
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

To learn how to make these delectable stuffed delicata, please grab a copy of my book Love in Every Bite: The Secret to Cooking Healthy Recipes with Positive Energy.

UP THE YUM: Feel free to use this recipe as a base and create your own filling. Other delicious choices would be rice and beans topped with chipotle salsa or cheese and black beans topped with green chilies.

FEED YOUR CHAKRAS: The flesh of this beautiful squash is bright orange, directly related to your sacral or second chakra. When I create meals made with seasonal produce, I definitely feel a strong tie to my feminine side, nourishing those I love with the bounty of the season.