Stuffed Hubbard squash recipe with rice (2024)

Jump to Recipe

There is nothing quite like a blue squash for a showstopper. This stuffed Hubbard squash recipe is perfect for your holiday table, but is also right at home on the weekday dinner menu.

The filling is made from a wild rice blend, apples, onions and ground pork or sausage. You can easily omit the meat to make it a vegan stuffed hubbard squash.

Stuffed Hubbard squash recipe with rice (1)

We are deep into fall and all the squash is in season. Now is the perfect time to make this delicious autumn dinner.

Hubbard squash recipe

As you can see from the photo below, most of the ingredients are things you probably have on your counter or in the cabinets.

The recipe is easily customized – use brown rice or plain white rice, or even farro, if that’s what you have. You can swap out walnuts for pecans, depending upon your pantry.

Stuffed Hubbard squash recipe with rice (2)

I had fully intended to use sausage in this recipe and then discovered that I didn’t have any, but I did have ground pork. So, I seasoned the ground pork like sausage and voilà.

If you can’t find this blue variety, use an orange or golden Hubbard squash. You could also use an acorn squash, as those are easily available everywhere.

How to cook this beauty

A small Hubbard squash is not too difficult to cut open. If I’m going to stuff a squash for dinner, I look for the smallest ones I can find, which are still fairly big.

Stuffed Hubbard squash recipe with rice (3)

To cut it open, slice the two ends off and stand it up – just like you would do with a melon. Use a sharp chef’s knife to cut straight down the middle.

Once you’ve split it in half, scoop out the seeds. Now we’re ready to roast it.

Drizzle a bit of olive oil inside and season with salt and pepper. Roast cut side down (this helps trap the heat and steam to cook the flesh) until it is tender.

This squash isn’t just made for stuffing, although it does make the perfect vessel. These hubbard squash lasagna rolls are absolutely out of this world.

Wild rice, apple and pork sausage filling

This has become one of our favorite hubbard squash recipes. The flavors are a classic combination and work so well with the earthiness of the squash.

The first step in making the filling is cook your meat, if using. Cook the sausage in a large stainless steel frying pan. To use ground pork, like I did, cook the pork and use the seasoning listed in the notes of the recipe below.

Next, sauté the apples and onions together.

Stuffed Hubbard squash recipe with rice (4)

We’re not looking for caramelization, just a little color and softened onions.

Stuffed Hubbard squash recipe with rice (5)

Then, add all of the ingredients for the stuffing to the pan and cook for a few minutes to let the flavors come together.

Stuffed Hubbard squash recipe with rice (6)

Fill the squash with the stuffing and roast in the oven for 20 minutes.

This recipe is fall comfort food. Filled with a delicious combination of pork, apples and onions, with a little crunch from the pecans, it makes a hearty dinner that fills you up without leaving you feeling heavy.

Stuffed Hubbard squash recipe with rice (7)

Whether it’s on your holiday table or served for a weeknight dinner, this beautiful stuffed squash is a delicious meal that the whole family will love.

Please share

Your shares help this site to grow and I appreciate it so much. Do you know someone who would like this? I’d love it if you would share it onFacebookor pin it to your favorite recipe board.

If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars!

Stuffed Hubbard squash recipe with rice (8)

Ihope you love this recipe as much as we do! Please consider rating and/or commenting. I love hearing from you!

Did you make this? Tag me on Instagram@pookspantryor share it in theFabulous Foodie FriendsFacebook group!

Yield: 4 servings

Stuffed Hubbard Squash Recipe with Rice

Stuffed Hubbard squash recipe with rice (9)

This stuffed Hubbard squash recipe is perfect for your holiday table, but is also right at home on the weekday dinner menu.

Prep Time30 minutes

Cook Time50 minutes

Total Time1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 - 2 lb. Hubbard squashes
  • 1 lb. pork sausage or ground pork
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 large apple, diced
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups wild rice blend, cooked
  • 1/4 cup pecans, roughly chopped
  • 1 tbsp. fresh herbs for garnish, if desired - parsley, chives, marjoram, etc.

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F / 177°C / Gas Mark 4
  2. Cut squashes in half and scoop out seeds. (Reserve seeds for roasting, if desired)
  3. Drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil over the inside of the squash halves and season with half of the salt and pepper.
  4. Roast, cut side down, for 30 minutes.
  5. While squash is in the oven, start the filling: In a large sauté pan, cook the sausage (if using ground pork, see note below).
  6. When sausage is no longer pink, add apples and onions to the pan. Season with remaining salt and pepper.
  7. Cook for 7 - 8 minutes, until onions are translucent and softened.
  8. Add cooked rice and pecans to the pan and stir to combine.
  9. Cook filling for 5 - 6 minutes over medium low heat, then set aside to cool.
  10. Remove squash from oven, carefully flip over, (steam will escape from under the squash) and let cool for a few minutes.
  11. Fill squash, evenly dividing the filling between the 4 halves, cover with foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
  12. Remove foil and bake uncovered for 5 more minutes to give the top a bit of color. Garnish with herbs, if desired.

Notes

How to season ground pork


Add to one pound of ground pork to season like sausage:

  • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp. rubbed sage
  • 1/2 tsp. fennel seeds
  • 1/2 tsp. rosemary
  • 1/4 tsp. onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/8 tsp. allspice

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1 half

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 734Total Fat: 46gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 29gCholesterol: 118mgSodium: 2109mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 8gSugar: 20gProtein: 34g

Nutrition information calculated by a third-party company as a courtesy. It is intended as a guideline only.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Thanks for stopping by! Have adeliciousday 🙂

Stuffed Hubbard squash recipe with rice (11)

Hello!All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my photos or recipe without prior written permission.Thank you!

Stuffed Hubbard squash recipe with rice (2024)

FAQs

Is Hubbard squash good for you? ›

Hubbard squash nutrition benefits include supplying you with high amounts of vitamins A and C, plus potassium, manganese, magnesium, fiber and B vitamins. It's supportive of heart health and normal blood pressure, immune system function and prevention of infections, normal vision, and bone health.

What is the difference between blue hubbard squash and green Hubbard squash? ›

Hubbard squash has a rich and buttery flavor, like a sweet pumpkin, with a smooth, dry, starchy texture. The blue varieties are typically drier than the orange or green ones.

Does Hubbard squash taste good? ›

Hubbard squash has the sweet flavor you expect from orange-fleshed winter squashes. The texture can be a bit grainy, which is why most recipes you see are for purees and soups. Butter, brown sugar and a bit of salt bring out its best flavor.

Is squash good for high blood pressure? ›

One of the many reasons squash is in high demand during the colder seasons is its high fiber and nutritional density. Some health benefits include improving blood pressure, supporting gut health, and decreasing your risk for certain diseases. There are over 100 kinds of summer and winter squash.

Does squash raise blood sugar? ›

Its low glycemic index can help prevent rapid spikes in blood sugar levels, making it a suitable option for maintaining stable glucose levels. Moreover, the dietary fiber content in squash aids in slowing down the absorption of sugar, promoting better blood sugar control and overall metabolic health.

What is another name for Hubbard squash? ›

Cucurbita maxima, known for modern varieties as Hubbard, Delicious, Marblehead, Boston Marrow, and Turks Turban, originated in northern Argentina near the Andes or in certain Andean valleys.

Can you eat Hubbard squash skin? ›

Hubbard squash, red kuri, spaghetti squash, butternut squash, and sugar pumpkin (sometimes called pie pumpkin) are varieties with very tough inedible skin. Though they need to be peeled before adding to soups, stews, and casseroles, most of these don't need to be peeled in order to be baked.

Can you eat raw Hubbard squash? ›

Skip eating most hard-skinned squash raw. "Hard skinned squash is difficult to eat raw," Marz says. "They are usually much larger in size, have a harder flesh, and are much more fibrous." Examples of hard-skinned squash that should not be eaten raw include: pumpkins, delicate, butternut, Hubbard, and acorn.

How do you know when a Hubbard squash is ready? ›

Hubbard Squash Harvest

The rock-hard exterior will not be an indicator of the fruits readiness nor will its green color. You will know when to harvest this squash when the maturation date of between 100 to 120 days has passed. In fact, the best way to tell if the squash is ripe is to wait until the vines begin to die.

How long does Hubbard squash keep? ›

Storage life varies by squash type. Acorn squash stores the shortest amount of time: 4 weeks. Spaghetti stores four to five weeks; Buttercup, 13 weeks; Butternut, up to six months; Blue Hubbard, six to seven months.

Can you freeze Hubbard squash? ›

Pumpkins and squash can be preserved for later use by freezing, canning or drying. They should have a hard rind and stringless mature pulp.

Why does my squash taste weird? ›

The most likely cause for a bitter taste in squash is due to an environmental stress of some sort, most likely a wide temperature flux or irregular irrigation. Either of these will create an excess of cucurbitacins to concentrate in the fruit.

When to eat Hubbard squash? ›

Hubbard & Butternut

Fruits are best after 1–2 months of storage, and will keep 4–6 months. (NOTE: Because of its smaller size, 'Butterscotch PMR' is an exception; it can be consumed at harvest, and is best within 3 months of harvest.)

What is the healthiest squash for you? ›

1. Butternut Squash. One of the most popular varieties of squash, it can be use in so many ways. It's one of the most rich in Vitamin A, boasting about 100% of the recommended daily value per cup, in the antioxidant form of beta-carotene.

What is the best squash for eating? ›

  1. 1 • Delicata / Sweet Dumpling. These are the most delectable of the pepo squashes, often much sweeter than their close cousins, the green acorns. ...
  2. 2 • Kabocha. ...
  3. 3 • Butternut. ...
  4. 4 • Acorn. ...
  5. 5 • Spaghetti. ...
  6. 6 • Buttercup. ...
  7. 7 • Hubbard.

Is Hubbard squash high in carbs? ›

Nutrition Info

One cup of cubed Hubbard squash (about 116g) has 46 calories, 2g protein, 1g of fat, 10g of carbohydrates, 2.5g fiber, and 2g sugar.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Neely Ledner

Last Updated:

Views: 6306

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Neely Ledner

Birthday: 1998-06-09

Address: 443 Barrows Terrace, New Jodyberg, CO 57462-5329

Phone: +2433516856029

Job: Central Legal Facilitator

Hobby: Backpacking, Jogging, Magic, Driving, Macrame, Embroidery, Foraging

Introduction: My name is Neely Ledner, I am a bright, determined, beautiful, adventurous, adventurous, spotless, calm person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.