‘Tis the Season of Squash – and oh how I love this wonderful season! Mostly because it includes giant butternut squashes at Trader Joe’s for $1.99 EACH.  Trader Joe’s knows how to make my heart happy.

Butternut squash has become one of my very favorite foods.  It is so versatile.  You can even make yummy porridge with it.  Or you can simply slice one in half, bake it, and then stuff it with all kinds of goodness!

I love to have butternut squash at breakfast time.  One recent morning, as I began fixing my breakfast, this simple, yet so delicious recipe came to mind. It can easily be served any time of the day of course, not just at breakfast.  It would even be a fabulous dinner party main course. Enjoy! 🙂

Stuffed Butternut Squash (AIP, Paleo)

Prep: 10 min          Cook: 30-35 min          Serves: 2

Ingredients

• 1 small to medium butternut squash
• 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
• 1/2 onion, thinly sliced
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp coconut oil, bacon grease, or grass-fed ghee

Tools

• Medium Saute Pan
• Baking Sheet

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Cut the butternut squash in half – and just in case this is your first rodeo with this task – Cut the top and bottom of the butternut squash off, then place it on its bottom so that it’s steady. Coming from the flat top, with a large sharp knife cut the butternut squash evenly in half – keeping both hands above the knife, pressing down until the squash is split.

2. Now that the hard part is out of the way – place it cut side down on a parchment lined or greased baking sheet (the skin should face up.) Place in oven for 30 to 45 minutes, or until soft and beginning to brown on the outside and the edges of the inside.

3. When the butternut squash is a few minutes from being done, sauté the sliced onion on medium to medium-high heat (sizzlin’) in the coconut oil in a medium sized sauté pan. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking. After 2-3 minutes add the salt and the shredded chicken to the pan and continue to stir occasionally. Cook until the chicken has begun to brown and crisp, remove from heat.

4. Once the squash has finished, remove from the oven. Scoop out and discard the seeds. Half the chicken between the two butternut squash halves, placing it inside of the natural bowl left from the seeds.

5. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.

Bon Appetite!