The last few acorn squash that formed were small, about the size of a baseball.
Unlike zucchini, which can be picked and used very young, winter squash have to stay on the vine until fully ripe.
Unlike zucchini, they don’t keep on growing until they’re monsters.
The little ones were so cute – I just couldn’t help stuffing them.
They were perfect for a first course.
Stuffed Baby Acorn Squash
Total time: 35 minutes,
Ingredients:
- 1 small acorn squash
- 2 tbs couscous
- 3 tbs chicken stock
- 2 slices Prosciuitto or other dry-cured ham, sliced
- 2 shallots, sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped Greek olives
- 1 tbs sage leaves
- 2 tsp olive oil
Instructions:
- Cut squash in half and scoop out seeds.
- Place face down on tray and bake in 400F (200C) oven for 15 minutes.
- While squash cooks:
- Heat the chicken stock and pour over the couscous. Cover and let rest.
- Heat the oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
- Add shallots, ham, sage and sauté until well-browned and starting to get crispy.
- Stir in couscous when ready.
- Add olives, stir well and remove from heat
- When squash are ready spoon couscous mixture into center.
- Return to oven and bake for 10 minutes longer.
The school holidays are over and I’m back in class. Now that I’m a student I’ll be more aware of the schedules. I hadn’t realized that even the adult classes follow the official schedule. We just had the 2 week fall break. We’ll have 6 weeks of class, then the 2 week Christmas break.
The other thing I’m more aware of is, regardless of the age of the students, some things never change.
The class I’m in has 10 students. 8 of them have been together for several years. A few of them started together at the very beginning, level one, class 6 years ago.
Another woman and I are the new kids this year.
We sit around a table for class. Over the course of the first weeks I noticed that some of the people always sat in the same place.
I sat in whatever chair was available when I arrived and never gave it a thought.
Until last week.
When I left for class there was frost on the car. I had to warm up the car, scrape the windows and all that bit….
I was late.
It was the first time that all 10 students were present.
I took the only empty chair, next to the teacher, which had always remained empty.
It was then I realized that the seating arrangement had likely been in effect for years.
I had inadvertently been stealing someones chair.
What made me realize this was that, for the first time, all the ‘boys’ were at one end of the table and the ‘girls’ at the other.
Remnants of second grade.
This week, I was deliberately a bit ‘late’ again.
Yep – everyone was in exactly the same chair as the week before.
As I said, some things never change.
I am doomed to the chair next to the teacher with my back to the board….
Until someone quits and I can grab their chair.
Hope I’m early that day.
I missed what class you are taking.
Good for you!
Funny observation! Does the teacher have BO or something, that s/he is shunned, or are they trying valiantly not to seem to kiss up to the teacher?
Took me a good few seconds to find my way into your blog there – the front page is a lot different than I remember!
These baby squash look delicious and autumnal.
Happy Thanksgiving, Katie, even if you are in a non-thanksgiving country. 🙂
Chuck
Funny how “school rules” are the same in any country and for any age group ! It does beg the question why ????
Linda, French – finally going to a proper school to learn the language LOL
Zoomie, no, the teacher’s chair has the back to the board – she rarely sits in it, but that means if you sit next to her, you also have your back to the board – where she stands to teach.
Scott, what can I say – change is inevitable LOL… Thanks, the squash were tasty.
Brass frog – thanks… Hope you are enjoying yours as well. Still traveling?
manningroad, isn’t it a hoot? I never did conform very well ;-))