Thanksgiving is just around the corner and if you are looking for a great side-dish to make, you might consider this yummy recipe of Roasted Squash Rings & Apple Sausage Stuffing. It’s especially a good idea if you are heading to someone’s house where only traditional full-on gluten stuffing will be served. Year after year when I was growing up, everyone would ooh and aah over my mother’s stuffing and my grandmother’s rolls (click here for a gluten-free roll recipe). It was the one holiday I felt my allergy the most. Of course this was back in the day when there were no gluten-free products on the market. Okay, maybe a few inedible ones, but truly, no bread, no flours, except soy, and gritty rice flour. Oh how the times have changed. I went in to my local co-op the other day and they’re selling a gluten-free stuffing mix. yes, a lot has changed over the past fifty years. When I came across the Delicata, I knew roasted squash rings were on the menu for Thanksgiving.

Sauteed Apple & Shallots
Crisp Granny Smith apples, celery and shallots are a great combination for a tasty stuffing.

I was reminiscing the other day on how much has changed in my lifetime. I’m going to sound ancient here, but my family growing up didn’t even own a microwave until I was out of high school! Computers were just being invented, my phone number began with PL8 rather than 758 and of course it was a rotary. We listened to music on cassette tapes and they were a pain in the neck if you wanted to rewind to hear a part over again. Rewind…nope too far…forward…nope too far, rewind…dang too far, well, you get the picture.

Gluten-free Stuffing
A gluten-free dressing made with Udi’s gluten-free bread.

But life seemed a little simpler then, too. People were intentional about getting together. Now it seems that people don’t need to get together because we see everyone’s lives inside this bubble called Facebook. Why get together when you already know where everyone’s been, where they’re going, and what they’ve ate. Believe me, I am guilty of this as well. So in the day of Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram, I’m not so sure we’re better off. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.

Slicing Delicata Squash
The Delicata squash makes a perfect scalloped edge for roasted squash rings.

Once again, Thanksgiving is just a week away. When I was a kid, I hated squash and green beans. Literally they made me gag! I sure am glad taste buds change. If you haven’t tired squash in a while, you really should give these roasted squash rings a try. You may be pleasantly surprised. I have so much to be thankful for this year. My mom has been gone from this earth for one whole year. This time last year was very difficult but reminiscing back, I am so very thankful for this incredible woman who taught me how to be a lady, how to cook, and how to live life to the fullest. Her zest for life was infectious, and for that I am truly thankful. I am so very thankful that my son-in-law has been cancer-free for almost a full year now and one of the greatest gifts of all has been watching my little grandson grow through his first year of life. So many blessings, so much to be forever grateful to my Heavenly Father for.

Roasted Squash Rings
Bake for 30 minutes to soften the flesh of the squash.

I know thanksgiving can be stressful, especially if you are gluten-free and going somewhere other than your own home. So consider offering to bring a side dish and maybe a dessert. There are so many great recipes and products on the market, most non-allergic people could eat gluten-free and not even know it. It’s too bad when someone who doesn’t have a gluten allergy tries a poor tasting gluten-free item and lumps all gluten-free as tasting terrible. It was that way with my family for many years. I would make a batch of brownies out of pure rice flour and the grittiness always made them refuse the bars. Once fine rice flour, tapioca and potato starches were introduced, they couldn’t believe they were gluten-free.

Delicata Stuffed Squash Rings
Stuffed Squash rings make a perfect side dish or an elegant appetizer.

Consider making Roasted Squash Rings with Apple-Sausage stuffing for Thanksgiving this year, but whatever you plan on doing, do it with a grateful heart and be truly thankful for life. What a gift!

Directions for Roasted Squash Rings:

Roasted Squash Rings & Apple Stuffing

Print recipe
Roasted Squash Rings & Apple Stuffing
Serves 8
Prep time 30 minutes
Cook time 30 minutes
Total time 1 hour
Dietary Gluten-free
Meal type Appetizer, Side Dish
Occasion Formal Party, Thanksgiving
Roasted squash rings with gluten-free apple sausage stuffing is great as an appetizer or a side dish. They not only look pretty on a dish, they reheat well.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons Butter
  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil (extra virgin)
  • 1 Medium Delicata Squash (cut in rings)
  • 1 Small Granny Smith Apple (chopped)
  • 1 Large Shallot (diced)
  • 1 Large Celery Stalk (diced)
  • 2 tablespoons Parsley (finely chopped)
  • 1/2lb Sweet Italian Sausage (ground)
  • Salt & Pepper (to taste)
  • 4 pieces Gluten-free Bread (toasted)
  • 1 cup Chicken Stalk (organic)

Directions

Step 1
In a large saute pan melt butter and Olive oil together on medium high heat.
Step 2
Add chopped shallots, celery, and apple to the pan and saute until shallots are translucent and apple is soft.
Step 3
Add chopped parsley. Saute for two more minutes. Remove from heat. Transfer to a bowl and cover.
Step 4
Using same saute pan, brown sweet Italian sausage and put gluten-free bread in toaster. Toast bread until brown & crisp but not burnt.
Step 5
Chop toast into small cubes. Add cubed toast and sauteed apple-shallot mix to the Italian sausage. Stir in chicken stalk. Fold mixture several times until stalk is fully absorbed. Salt and pepper to taste.
Step 6
Slice Delicata squash into 8 rings. Remove seeds and place rings on a non-stick sprayed or parchment paper covered cookie sheet. Stuff with a heaping scoop of stuffing.
Step 7
Place in 350 degree preheated oven for 30 minutes. Use spatula to remove. Serve warm.
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This recipe was shared here: vegetarianmamma TheChickenChick

45 comments on “Roasted Squash Rings & Apple-Sausage Stuffing”

  4. This is such a “pretty” looking dish, especially to serve at something like Thanksgiving! It looks like something you’d get at a restaurant. One day I’ll be fancy like that 🙂 For now I’ll keep on working on my very first dinner party which will be on Black Friday since my husband is going to be on his bike thanksgiving and since this is our first USA one, it doesn’t really matter that much to me! Wow, long explanation 🙂

    Reply

  6. I enjoyed your story with the recipe. I too grew up with rotary phones, remember 8-track tapes, didn’t have a microwave, no remote control TV, and no self-serve gas stations. You’re recipe looks delicious!

    Reply

  12. Beautiful recipe and looks delicious, you americans are making us british really wish we celebrated thanksgiving at the same time. Love all these incredible recipes

    Reply

  13. Love the recipe and how cute they come out! I totally agree about how technology and social media seems to be creating gaps in relationships. Social media is all about connecting but when we connect so much online it’s as if we start forgetting how to connect in person. I grew up a lil bit more involved in the technology generation. I was being taught how to use computers by elementary and I had my first cell phone by 15(prepaid Nokia) but I remember the days before cell phones. When a person called your house looking for you and if you didn’t have call waiting or you weren’t there then yall just didn’t talk that day. My husband and I definitely see that we have to be intentional with our relationship and with our family in order to stay connected and close. Technology has so many benefits but the drawbacks if we’re not careful can be devastating. Great post!

    Reply

    • I think you’re staying a step ahead when you and your husband are making a point of being intentional with your relationship. We recently had a family get-away with all our grown kids. We decided to put our electronics away and only have designated times to briefly check them. We wanted to make sure it was truly a time for family and not just time all together in a room with our phones and computers. It was a great weekend!

      Reply

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