
Gaz Oakley's Stuffed Butternut Squash Roast
Ingredients
- 1 Large butternut squash, washed
- a little B-well olive oil
For the glazed onions
- 2 red onions, finely sliced
- 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 5 tbsp organic coconut sugar
For the rice
- 150 g (3/4 cup) wild rice, cooked
- 75 g 21/2oz) dried apricots, chopped
- 300 g (2 cups) mixed nuts such as hazelnuts or pecan nuts, roughly chopped
- pinch of cayenne pepper
- pinch of paprika
- juice of ½ lemon
- pinch of sea salt and pepper
- pinch of dried sage
For the sauteed mushrooms
- 160 g (1½ cups) fresh mushrooms
- 1 tsp roasted garlic powder
- sea salt and pepper
- 4 peppers, roasted, skin removed
- 6 sun-dried tomatoes, re-hydrated
- 2 handfuls baby spinach
- 5 tbsp spiced apple chutney
For the apple chutney
- 2 large tart cooking apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp grated orange peel
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Split the squash in half lengthways, place cut-side up onto a baking tray and bake for 45 minutes, or until just soft.
- Meanwhile, make the glazed onions. Heat 3 tablespoons of water in a non-stick saucepan, add the sliced onion and sweat for 5 minutes.
- Add the vinegar and sugar, then cook for a further 10 minutes over a low heat, stirring occasionally, until caramelized. Set aside.
- Mix the rice ingredients in a mixing bowl until fully combined, then set aside.
- Sauté your mushrooms. Heat 2 tablespoons of water in a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add the mushrooms, garlic powder and seasoning. Sauté for 5 minutes.
- When the squash is cooked and cooled slightly, scoop out the seeds, then scoop out a 2cm (1in) channel of flesh and mix that into the rice mixture.
- Spoon the rice one of the squash halves. Top with the peppers, onions, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes and spinach.
- Place the other squash half on top, tie together in three places and roast for a further 15 minutes. Carve and serve straight away.
How to make the Apple Chutney
- Combine ingredients and simmer.
- Put all of the ingredients (chopped apples, onion, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, orange zest, grated ginger, cinnamon) into a medium saucepan and stir to combine.
- Heat on high to bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for about 40 minutes.
- Uncover and simmer off excess liquid.
- Uncover and simmer over low heat for a few minutes more to cook off any excess liquid. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or place excess in sterilised jars. To sterilise your jars, place them in a large saucepan filled with cold water, place over a medium heat and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 3 minutes then turn off the heat. Carefully remove the jars from the water when you’re ready to fill them. Heat all the ingredients in a heavy-based saucepan over a low heat with the lid on. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring often. Remove the jars from the hot water, spoon the sauce into the hot jars and seal. The sauce will keep for 4 weeks in the fridge.
Recipes we’re loving:
Shiitake Roll with Spiced Mayo and Dill Pickle
MasterChef Australia contestant Simon Toohey shares a simple, yet delicious plant-powered snack with us.
Grilled Mushroom Skewers with Chimichurri Sauce
Chef Mokgadi Itsweng shares her quick and easy recipe for Grilled Mushroom Skewers with Chimichurri Sauce (taken from her book Veggielicious published by Human & Rosseau) which can be taken off the skewer and used in a wrap.
Thai Cauliflower and Chickpea Red Curry
Who doesn’t love a delicious Thai Red Curry and this simple to make recipe does not disappoint!
Barley, quinoa and spelt with vegetables and basil oil
A light, refreshing recipe to awaken the senses plus it’s a nutritional powerhouse of a meal! Five different grains and pulses go into this delicious vegan dish, including two ancient grains, quinoa and spelt. You can add other veggies of your choice to this dish – how about these delicious South African Summer veggies – baby spinach, watercress or asparagus? Serve hot with a drizzle of vibrant basil oil, or cold as a salad.
The Ultimate Avocado Veggie Burger
This is going to become your new favourite veggie burger recipe!
Hope Mdakane’s Chickpea Sponge
Who can enjoy their tea or coffee without a pillowy soft and moist sponge cake? This delicious chickpea sponge is from Hope Mdakane’s winning vegan entremet recipe from The Festive Vegan & Plant Powered Show and SA Young Chefs Plant-Based competition.
Decadent Trifle
The true definition of indulgent healthy food. This trifle is 100% plant-based! Layered with luscious flavours from the deep, chocolatey brownies, dollops of smooth and creamy chocolate mousse, topped with a spiced berry compote with vanilla chia pudding to bring it all together.
Chef Cola’s healthy, quick-to-prepare salad
One of her favourite recipes – and delicious to eat – is her healthy, quick-to-prepare salad.
Vegan Lentil Curry
A creamy, comforting curry packed with plant-powered protein.
Avocado Mac & Cheese
Avocados add creaminess and puts a healthier twist on this vegan mac and cheese.

