Vegetarian Stuffed Kabocha Squash Recipe {Vegan Option} (2024)

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If you love winter squash, you will love this easy stuffed kabocha squash recipe! This stuffed squash makes a beautiful entre on the dinner table. This recipe is vegetarian as written, but there is a simple way to make it vegan as well!

Vegetarian Stuffed Kabocha Squash Recipe {Vegan Option} (1)

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(*This post was sponsored by Del Monte®. All opinions are my own.)

The holidays are upon us; this is the first year we have vegetarian friends joining us for our Friendsgiving. Every year, the turkey is the center of attention, the focal point of our celebratory table. It is important to me that I have something equally as nice for my friends.

WhenDel Monte® asked me to create a Friendsgivingrecipe, I wanted to create something different from your run-of-the-mill Thanksgiving fare—something special and memorable, like this stuffed kabocha squash. I hope this roasted kabocha squash recipe will look amazing next to the turkey, giving our vegetarian friends a meal to look forward to.

If you love winter squash, you will want to check out all of my delicious Gluten Free Winter Squash recipes. I take you from appetizers to desserts with these flexible winter squash recipes.

Have you seen those big greyish-green squash in your store? Roasted kabocha squash has a sweet flavor that cooks beautifully. It makes a beautiful vessel for any stuffed winter squash recipe. Many people ask where you can find kabocha squash. Kabocha squash is widely available; most grocery stores and farmer’s markets will have them. These winter squash are usually available in the fall through winter months.

Vegetarian Stuffed Kabocha Squash Recipe {Vegan Option} (2)

Look at all of that melty cheese! If you are dairy-free, look for the cheese substitutes I mentioned to make this recipe vegan.

Have you tried Del Monte® Harvest Selects vegetables? Del Monte® takes quality seriously, and you can taste the difference!Del Monte® is using non-GMO vegetables and has removed all BPA from their cans!

Methods of cooking kabocha squash:

The first step to making this recipe is to cook the winter squash.

  • You can roast the kabocha squash in the oven as I did for this recipe.
  • If you are in a hurry, cut the squash open and scoop out the seeds—place in a microwave-safe dish. Add a little water to the bottom of the dish. Microwave for 10 minutes until the squash is soft.
  • Toss the kabocha squash on the grill. Follow the same steps above to cut off the top and remove the seeds, then grill it on medium heat. Keep the grill lid down so it gets hot inside!
Vegetarian Stuffed Kabocha Squash Recipe {Vegan Option} (3)

Here is what the kabocha squash will look like with the seeds removed. Brush olive oil on the interior of the squash. Next, roast the kabocha squash for 20 minutes at 375º F in the oven to soften it before adding the filling.

Step-By-Step Directions:

Vegetarian Stuffed Kabocha Squash Recipe {Vegan Option} (4)

Step 1: Cook thecorn, onion, and diced red peppers in a skillet with cooking oil. Cook over medium heat.

Vegetarian Stuffed Kabocha Squash Recipe {Vegan Option} (5)

Step 2: Add the diced tomatoes, drained and rinsed black beans, green chiles, and seasoning into the corn mixture. Cook on medium heat for another 15 minutes.

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Step 3: Remove the squash from the oven and fill it with the vegetable mixture. Top with cheese or dairy-free cheese (for a vegan stuffed kabocha squash).

Step 4: Return the squash lid on top and bake the squash for another 22 minutes. This will help the flavors of the vegetable mixture bake into the squash.

Vegetarian Stuffed Kabocha Squash Recipe {Vegan Option} (7)

Recipe FAQ:

Can you make this kabocha recipe vegan?

To make this recipe vegan, substitute the cheese for dairy-free cheese!! One of my new favorite vegan cheeses is VioLife. I just found it at Whole Foods, but several grocery stores carry it. Daiya and Kite Hill vegan cheeses are also good.

When is a good time to serve stuffed squash?

You can serve this stuffed squash all year long, and it makes a beautiful Thanksgiving centerpiece for your vegetarian and vegan guests.

Can you use other types of squash?

If you can’t find kabocha, you can use many types of winter squash. I like to use pumpkin and acorn squash as well.

How do you store leftover stuffed squash?

This roasted stuffed squash will keep fresh for up to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Some kabocha squash are large, so I find it easier to slice it so that it fits into a container easily.

If you love eating meatless, you will love this vegetarian Gluten Free Mexican Casserole recipe. I have a lot of great gluten free vegetarian recipes you will love.

Vegetarian Stuffed Kabocha Squash Recipe {Vegan Option} (8)

More Gluten-Free Winter Squash Recipes:

  • Gluten-Free Delicata Squash Cheddar Fritters
  • Roasted Acorn Squash Soup
  • Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bundt Cake
  • Gluten-Free Pumpkin Biscuits

Love This Recipe?

If you made and enjoyed this recipe, I would be incredibly grateful if you could leave a comment below. Include which flour blend you used. This helps others know this recipe is delicious. Thank you!

Vegetarian Stuffed Kabocha Squash Recipe {Vegan Option} (9)

Stuffed Kabocha Squash

Sandi Gaertner

A kabocha squash roasted and stuffed with corn, tomatoes, black beans and chiles.

4.91 from 33 votes

Vegetarian Stuffed Kabocha Squash Recipe {Vegan Option} (10)

Vegetarian Stuffed Kabocha Squash Recipe {Vegan Option} (11)

Vegetarian Stuffed Kabocha Squash Recipe {Vegan Option} (12)

Vegetarian Stuffed Kabocha Squash Recipe {Vegan Option} (13)

Print Pin it

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 32 minutes mins

Total Time 37 minutes mins

Course Gluten Free Vegetarian and Vegan Recipes

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 303 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 kabocha squash
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 14 ounces Del Monte® Fiesta Corn drained
  • 1 onion diced
  • 14 ounces diced tomatoes
  • 14 ounces black beans drained and rinsed
  • 2 teaspoons ground chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup cheddar cheese Daiya if you are vegan

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350º F.

  • Cut the top off the kabocha squash and remove the seeds. Brush with one tablespoon olive oil and bake for 20 minutes. (Bake the lid stem side up too!)

  • In a pan, heat the last tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 2 minutes.

  • Add the corn, tomatoes, black beans and seasoning. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

  • Remove the squash from the oven.

  • Stuff the corn mixture into the squash. Top with the cheese or cheese substitute. Put the lid onto the squash and bake for another 20 minutes.

  • Serve hot.

Notes

  1. If you can’t find kabocha squash at your local grocery store, you can substitute acorn or kuri squash.
  2. Use dairy-free cheese to make this recipe vegan.
  3. If you like food spicier, feel free to add some diced green chiles or jalapeños to the cooking vegetables.
  4. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The leftovers will keep fresh for up to 4 days.

Methods of cooking kabocha squash:

The first step to making this recipe is to cook the winter squash.

  • You can roast the kabocha squash in the oven as I did for this recipe.
  • If you are in a hurry, cut the squash open and scoop out the seeds. Place in a microwave-safe dish. Add a little water to the bottom of the dish. Microwave for 10 minutes until the squash is soft.
  • Toss the kabocha squash on the grill. Follow the same steps above to remove the seeds, then grill on medium heat. Make sure to keep the lid down on the grill so it gets hot inside!

SPECIAL NOTE

Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 303kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 13gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 560mgPotassium: 1086mgFiber: 11gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 2603IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 161mgIron: 4mg

Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @FearlessDining or tag #FearlessDining!

Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.

Vegetarian Stuffed Kabocha Squash Recipe {Vegan Option} (14)
Vegetarian Stuffed Kabocha Squash Recipe {Vegan Option} (2024)

FAQs

Can I eat kabocha squash every day? ›

If you eat an excessive amount of kabocha squash, or any yellow or orange fruit or vegetable containing beta carotene, you can develop carotenemia. This is a condition that can cause your skin to appear yellowish or orange. It's harmless, and the cure is simply to cut back on the carotene-containing foods.

Can diabetics eat kabocha squash? ›

Kabocha squash is a low glycemic food.

Eating low glycemic foods can be very beneficial to your health. “A low-glycemic diet can help you control your weight by minimizing spikes in your blood sugar and insulin levels. This is particularly important if you have type 2 diabetes or at risk of developing it.

What is the inside of kabocha squash? ›

On the inside you will find a beautiful yellow-orange flesh and seeds that are very similar to pumpkin seeds.

What is a substitute for kabocha squash? ›

Substitutes For Kabocha

Depending on the recipe, you can use sweet potato, acorn squash, or butternut squash to substitute for kabocha. Likewise, you can switch it for recipes that call for other varieties of squashes. Wish to learn more about Japanese cooking?

Is kabocha squash anti inflammatory? ›

Research shows that kabocha squash flavonoids like beta-carotene and lutein promote skin health. It prevents oxidation and inflammation of skin cells. It may also protect skin from damage, aging, and cancer growth.

Is kabocha good for weight loss? ›

Many people use kabocha squash for weight loss, and for good reason. With less than 40 calories and 1.7 grams of fiber per cup, adding kabocha squash to your diet can be a great way to support feelings of satiety and boost weight loss.

Does squash spike blood sugar? ›

Squash is a starchy vegetable that contains carbohydrates, which can cause a rise in blood sugar levels and trigger the release of insulin. However, the extent to which squash affects insulin levels can vary depending on the type of squash and how it is prepared.

Is kabocha squash good for kidneys? ›

Squash is fine for earlier stages of CKD and kidney transplant when potassium is well-managed without dietary restriction.

Do you eat the skin of kabocha squash? ›

The kabocha skin is edible. Many Japanese kabocha recipes such as kabocha tempura and simmered kabocha require it to keep the skin on. However, if you want to show that beautiful orange color in your recipe, you have to remove the rind as the dark green kabocha skin will not keep the beautiful orange flesh color.

How to tell if kabocha squash is bad? ›

A squash with soft spots and is soft to the touch, is a sign that the squash has gone bad. And if it starts to leak fluid, that's a sure sign that the squash is spoiled. Likewise, if the flesh and seeds of the fruit are mushy and slimy, that's a clear sign that it shouldn't be eaten.

Why is my kabocha squash bitter? ›

The higher the levels of cucubitacin, the more bitter the squash will taste. 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.

What does kabocha taste like? ›

Kabocha has an exceptionally sweet flavor, even sweeter than butternut squash. It is similar in texture and flavor to a pumpkin and sweet potato combined. Some kabocha can taste like Russet potatoes or chestnuts.

What's the healthiest squash? ›

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 tasting kabocha squash? ›

Kabocha Squash

Two of the more common, and nicest tasting are 'Red Kuri' (92-100 days) with its orange-red skinned fruits and smooth flesh that is less sweet but nicely flavored, and the gray-skinned 'Winter Sweet' (95 days), which has dry, sweet flesh.

Is kabocha better than pumpkin? ›

Western Pumpkin: Western pumpkins are a good source of beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A in the body. Japanese Kabocha: Kabocha contains not only beta-carotene but also a range of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, iron, and fiber.

Can you eat squash everyday? ›

While the high beta-carotene content in squash can provide many benefits, studies also suggest that consuming too much of this compound can increase the risk of lung cancer. In addition, some types of prepared squash include high amounts of added sugar.

Which squash has the most health benefits? ›

Butternut Squash

Its orange flesh has a sweet and nutty flavor and is packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and protective plant compounds. In addition to vitamins A and C, butternut squash is also rich in carotenoid plant pigments and minerals like potassium, magnesium, and manganese.

Is kabocha squash easy to digest? ›

Kabocha squash contains fiber and fluid, which help support healthy gut bacteria, bulk up poop, and hydrate the intestines for healthy digestion and bowel movements. To minimize digestive discomfort, gradually introduce high-fiber foods like squash.

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