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

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If you love winter squash, you are going to love this easy stuffed kabocha squash recipe! This recipe is vegetarian, but there is a simple way to make this stuffed squash 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.

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

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, and I purchased this one at my local Walmart.

Walmart has some of the best prices in town. If you haven’t visited your local Walmart recently, check out all the delicious gluten-free foods! I wrote about Walmart’s gluten-freeselections to show you how much they have.

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Don’t you love melty cheese? The cheddar cheese I found at Walmart makes this dish a show-stopper! Look for the cheese substitutes I mentioned to make this a vegan stuffed kabocha squash recipe!!

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!

Are you ready to see how easy it is to make this roasted kabocha squash recipe? First, here are some tips on cooking your kabocha squash:

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. Keep the lid down on the grill so it gets hot inside!
Vegetarian Stuffed Kabocha Squash Recipe {Vegan Option} (4)

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.

Recipe step-by-step directions:

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

Step 1: Cook theDel Monte® Fiesta Corn in a skillet with onion and red pepper. Walmart has both red pepper and onions for this in their produce department.

Vegetarian Stuffed Kabocha Squash Recipe {Vegan Option} (6)

Step 2: Add in Del Monte® Diced Tomatoes, black beans, green chiles, and seasoning into the corn mixture. Cook on medium heat for 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 for another 22 minutes.

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

Tips and 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. Daiya and Kite Hill cheeses are also good.

When is a good time to serve stuffed squash?

You can serve this stuffed squash all year long! It makes a beautiful Thanksgiving centerpiece for your vegetarian and vegan friends.

Can you use other types of squash?

You can use many types of winter squash if you can’t find kabocha. I like to also use pumpkin and acorn squash.

How long will this recipe keep fresh?

This roasted stuffed squash will keep fresh for up to 4 days in an airtight container or up to 4 months in the freezer.

If you love eating meatlessly, you will love this vegetarian Gluten Free Mexican Casserole recipe.

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

More winter squash recipes to try:

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

Stuffed Kabocha Squash

Sandi Gaertner

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

Love this recipe?Give it a star rating!

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

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

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

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

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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

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients

  • 1 kabocha squash
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 14 ounces Del Monte® Fiesta Corn drained
  • 1 onion diced
  • 14 ounces Del Monte® 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 a 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

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: 1gCalories: 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.

Fearless Dining

Your go-to haven for gluten-free living, where I share hundreds of delicious, family-friendly recipes, helpful gluten-free resources, and allergen-friendly options for everyone!

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

FAQs

What does kabocha squash 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 is kabocha made of? ›

Kabocha squash (Cucurbita maxima) is a type of winter squash. It is a fruit that grows in bushes but is eaten as a vegetable. It can be round or oblate and weighs from 1.5 to 5.3 pounds. It has a hard, dark green, gray, or reddish-orange rind and yellow-to-orange flesh.

Can you eat kabocha squash? ›

Kabocha is used in many Japanese recipes in which it is stewed, deep-fried into tempura, or even used in desserts. It has beta carotene, vitamins, iron, and all the healthy goodness. Japanese moms would make sure their kids eat it, and no excuse is acceptable.

How long will kabocha squash keep? ›

Buttercup & Larger, Green or Gray Kabocha

Fruits are best after 1–1½ months of storage, but will also store 4–6 months.

Is kabocha squash anti inflammatory? ›

Kabocha Benefits. Kabocha is packed with nutrients that are related to preventing diabetes, boosting the immune system, preventing cancer, treating inflammation, and promoting heart health. Kabocha provides vitamins A and C, some B vitamins, fiber, magnesium, potassium, and antioxidants.

Is kabocha squash high in sugar? ›

There are approximately 30 calories in one cup of kabocha squash and about 8 grams of carbohydrate. There are 1.2 grams of fiber in kabocha and about 3.5 grams of naturally occurring sugar.

Is A kabocha squash A vegetable or a fruit? ›

Kabocha squash is a staple at any Japanese restaurant. This bright orange fruit is often served battered and fried in vegetable tempura. It can easily be mistaken for sweet potato due to its color, velvety texture, and buttery flavor.

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.

Is kabocha squash high in fructose? ›

In New Zealand, Kabocha is sold as buttercup squash or supermarket squash. Researchers have analysed the sugars in six of the Kabocha squash varieties and all varieties had positive glucose to fructose ratios. This means the squash contained more glucose than fructose and shouldn't contain any excess fructose.

What is another name for kabocha squash? ›

Kabocha squash is a type of Japanese winter squash variety from the species Cucurbita maxima. Also known as Japanese squash or Japenese pumpkin, at first glance, it's easy to mistake this squash for a funny-looking green pumpkin.

Why is my kabocha squash bitter? ›

Cucurbits contain a group of chemicals called cucubitacins. It is these cucurbitacins that are responsible for squash that is bitter tasting.

Is kabocha squash better than butternut squash? ›

Which Squash is Better than a Butternut? The kabocha won decisively. The deep orange flesh was creamy, without visible fibers. It had a slightly earthier and richer flavor than the butternut.

How do you know if kabocha squash has gone bad? ›

How to tell if kabocha squash is bad. You'll know kabocha squash is bad if you feel soft spots or if the color is off. If either is the case, don't buy them (or throw them away if you already bought them).

Can I freeze raw kabocha squash? ›

Peel and cut the squash into chunks of any size. Spread the pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet and place in the freezer. When completely frozen, transfer the squash to a freezer safe container with 1/2-inch headspace to allow for food expansion.

Can dogs eat kabocha squash? ›

Also kabocha (40 kcal/cup) is lower in calories compared to butternut (60 kcal/cup). Before going head-over-heals for kabochas and butternuts, are they safe for dogs? Happily, generally yes! Kabocha and butternut belong to a variety of squash called the Winter Squash.

What is kabocha squash similar to? ›

Characteristics: The squat, green kabocha—the Japanese word for squash—has a nutty, earthy flavor with just a touch of sweetness. It's similar in shape and size to a buttercup squash, but the base points out and not in.

Which squash is most similar to kabocha? ›

Buttercup squash is a lot like kabocha with a belly button — but generally a little larger, a little moister, and not as nuanced in terms of flavor. These qualities allow buttercups to pair nicely with other flavors and textures, such as apples, grains, nuts, and cheeses.

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