An easy-to-make recipe that you can prepare effortlessly in your slow cooker or crockpot is this Acorn Squash with Fruit Filling that you can leave to cook while you relax, made with halved acorn squash, chopped apples, plump raisins, pecans, and warm spices. This warm and inviting Acorn Squash with Fruit Filling recipe is perfect for dessert or a holiday side dish that takes around 4 hours and 10 minutes to make and serves up to 4 people.

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Recipe Ingredients

• 2 acorn squash, halved
• 2 teaspoons of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1 sweet apple (like Jonagold), unpeeled and finely chopped
• 1/2 cup (75 g) of raisins
• 1/4 cup (26 g) of chopped pecans
• 4 teaspoons (18 g) of melted butter or coconut oil
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) of apple cider or water

How To Make Slow Cooker Fruit-Stuffed Acorn Squash

1. Prepare the Squash: Using a heavy chef’s knife or a cleaver, carefully halve each acorn squash. With a sturdy spoon, scoop out all the seeds and clean the cavities thoroughly.
2. Mix the Filling: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cardamom, and salt. Add in the finely chopped apple, raisins, and chopped pecans. Mix everything well so the fruit and nuts are evenly coated in the spice mixture.
3. Stuff the Squash Halves: Fill each squash half evenly with one-fourth of the prepared filling. Drizzle 1 teaspoon of melted butter or coconut oil over the top of each stuffed squash half to add a touch of richness.
4. Set Up Your Slow Cooker: If your slow cooker is large (6 to 7 quarts), place the stuffed squash halves side by side, cut sides facing up. If your slow cooker requires stacking, wrap each squash half tightly in foil to prevent spilling. For stacked squash, use water instead of apple cider to prevent drying out.
5. Add Liquid and Cook: Pour the apple cider (or water) into the base of the slow cooker to create moisture. Cover the slow cooker with its lid securely, and set it to cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours, depending on your preference. You’ll know it’s ready when the squash is soft and easily pierced with a fork.
6. Serve and Enjoy: Once the cooking time is done, carefully remove the squash halves from the slow cooker using a large spatula. Serve them warm, and enjoy this cozy and flavorful dish.

Recipe Tips

• For a vegan version of this dish, replace the butter with coconut oil or a high-quality vegan margarine, which will provide a similar richness without the use of animal-based ingredients.
• If you prefer a sweeter filling, swap the raisins with chopped dried apricots or dates. These fruits add a natural sweetness while enhancing the overall flavor and texture of the dish.
• To add a nutty crunch, sprinkle a small handful of chopped walnuts or almonds over the stuffing before cooking. This gives the dish a different texture and introduces new flavors.
• Experiment with spices by adding a pinch of ground ginger or allspice for extra warmth. Both spices complement the sweetness of the apples and raisins, adding more depth to the filling.

Recipe FAQs and Variations

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