Make Squash Not Turkey!

The annual Adopt-A-Turkey Project is a national program designed to end the misery of commercially-raised turkeys by educating the public about the horrific cruelties endured by these sentient beings and offering a compassionate alternative for Thanksgiving.

To learn more about Farm Sanctuary’s Adopt-A-Turkey Project, access helpful holiday resources- including animal-free, delicious recipes, videos and literature- and view the 2009 “Turkey Adoption List,” as well as adoption applications, please visit www.adoptaturkey.org or call 1-888-SPONSOR.
Instead of tortured, diseased birds for a loving, family dinner… why not try:
Acorn Squash Stuffed With Sage Polenta and Seitan Bourguignon

Serves 8
Squash
4 acorn squash
1 ½ Tbsp olive oil
½ tsp sea salt
½ tsp black pepper
Polenta
5 cups water or light vegetable stock
1 ½ cups polenta
1 tsp minced garlic
2 tsp minced fresh sage, or ½ tsp dried sage
½ tsp ground pepper
1 Tbsp nutritional yeast
1 tsp sea salt
Seitan Bourguignon
1 ½ cups pearl onions
1 Tbsp minced garlic
2 tsp olive oil
½ lb portobello mushrooms, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tsp minced fresh thyme
2 tsp minced fresh rosemary
1 tsp minced fresh sage
1 tsp dried tarragon
2 bay leaves
2 cups dry red wine
2 cups dark vegetable stock
2 Tbsp tomato paste, or ¼ cup reconstituted sun-dried tomatoes
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 turnip, peeled, and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 parsnips, peeled, sliced lengthwise, and cut into ½-inch pieces
2 carrots, peeled, sliced lengthwise, and cut into ½-inch pieces
1 celery root, peeled, and cut into ½-inch dice
1 cup winter squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes
6 to 8 chestnuts, halved
8 ounces prepared seitan, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 ½ tsp ground pepper
4 tsp tamari soy sauce
2 Tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot, dissolved in ¼ cup cold water
Sea salt to taste
8 fresh rosemary sprigs, for garnish
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
To prepare the squash
Preheat the oven to 400°. Line baking pan(s) with parchment paper. Cut the acorn squash in half lengthwise (from tip to stem) and scoop out seeds and strings. Make a slice on the bottom of each half so it sits flat. Coat squash cavities with oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place halves, cut side down, in prepared pan(s) and roast until tender but still firm, about 30 minutes.
To prepare the chestnuts
Preheat the oven to 350°. Using a sharp knife cut an X in the top of each chestnut. Place in a single layer in a baking disk. Bake 30-45 minutes. Cool, and then peel and cut in half.
To make the polenta
In a large saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Gradually whisk in the polenta and whisk constantly for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to a simmer and add the remaining ingredients. Continue cooking, whisking every 5 minutes, until the polenta starts to pull away from the sides of the pan, about 15 minutes. Set aside and keep warm.
To make the seitan bourguignon
In a large saucepan, sauté the onions and garlic in the oil over medium heat until they lightly brown, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the mushrooms and seasonings and sauté for 2 minutes. Add all the remaining ingredients except the cornstarch mixture and salt. Cover and simmer until the root vegetables are just tender, about 30 minutes. Stir in the cornstarch mixture and cook for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Adjust the salt.
Heat the squash in a 350° over for 10 minutes, or until warm. Fill each with ¾ cup of polenta, then top with ¾ cup of seitan bourguignon. Insert a rosemary spring in the top of each squash half. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.