Vegetables Squash + Gourds Acorn Squash Baked Acorn Squash with Chestnuts, Apples and Leeks 3.0 (1,900) Add your rating & review Halved acorn squash make perfect single-serving bowls. These make a great vegetarian main course for any winter holiday, but they're also a festive accompaniment to turkey, ham or roast goose. Slideshow: More Squash Recipes By Justin Chapple Justin Chapple Facebook Instagram Twitter Justin Chapple is a chef, recipe developer, food writer, video host, and cookbook author. In addition, he is the culinary director-at-large of Food & Wine and host of their video series, Mad Genius Tips, for which he was nominated twice for a prestigious James Bead Award.One of my favorite things in the world are cookbooks. For that reason, I wrote two of them: Just Cook It! and Mad Genius Tips! Check them out because I'm sure you'll love them as much as I loved writing them. Oh, by the way, you might've seen some of my work in magazines such as Food & Wine, People, O, The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, and Rachel Ray In Season, among other publications. I've appeared on some shows you might recognize, like NBC's Today, ABC's LIVE with Kelly and Ryan, Food Network's The Kitchen, Hallmark's Home & Family, and Fox's Good Day New York, among others. You might also recognize me from the live classes I teach on Food Network Kitchen.Originally from California, I moved to New York City in 2003. I graduated from the French Culinary Institute. I joined FOOD & WINE in 2010, helping produce the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen. I split my time between New York City and the Catskills. I live with my husband, Jason, and my mini-dachshund Millie. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Published on December 2, 2014 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: © Alexandra Rowley Active Time: 45 mins Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins Yield: 8 Ingredients 4 acorn squash (about 1 pound each), halved lengthwise and seeded 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 1/2 cups diced celery 2 leeks, halved lengthwise and sliced crosswise 1/4 inch thick 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced 2 teaspoons finely chopped thyme 10 ounces day-old rustic rye bread—crusts removed, bread cut into 1/2-inch dice (about 6 cups) 7 ounces vacuum-packed cooked chestnuts 1/2 cup chopped parsley 1/3 cup heavy cream 1/3 cup vegetable stock or low-sodium broth Directions Preheat the oven to 350°. Brush the cut sides of the squash with olive oil and season the cavities with salt and pepper. Place the squash cut side down on two baking sheets and roast for about 25 minutes, until just tender. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt the butter in the 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the celery, leeks and a generous pinch each of salt and pepper and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8 minutes. Add the apples and thyme and cook over moderately high heat until the apples just start to soften, about 5 minutes. Scrape the mixture into a large bowl. Add the bread, chestnuts, parsley, cream and stock and toss well. Season with salt and pepper. Turn the squash cut side up. Spoon the stuffing into the cavities and bake until the squash are tender and the stuffing is golden brown, about 20 minutes. Transfer to plates and serve. Rate it Print