stuffed acorn squash and apple cider cocktail

happy friday, gang! well, we made it. not only through another week, but the new website has arrived. i will have a tutorial next week on how to navigate the site. in the meantime, take a look around and kick the tires. it’s beautiful, functional, and easy to navigate.  i’m more than thrilled that Style at a Certain Age finally has a customized look and feel. and i wanted a space where my readers would feel at home. after all, you’re my guests! but i digress ‘cuz it’s Friday, and our favorite German Shepherd is on deck to usher in the weekend. we’re dishing up fall favorites today. stuffed acorn squash and apple cider cocktail. both are perfect for serving on these cool days that mother nature is delivering. this morning, i woke up to 48 degrees Fahrenheit – brrrrrr. well, almost… although i was happy to slip into my robe and sherpa slippers.

denim | sweater | blouse (old, similar here and here) | loafers

stuffed acorn squash and apple cider cocktail

today’s recipes are soooooo good! as a young girl growing up, one of the few vegetables i liked was squash. so it’s a no-brainer to look for delicious and healthy recipes that include this nutritious veggie. acorn squash is high in carbs but loaded with nutrients providing a quality source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber essential for our digestive system. acorn squash is filled with antioxidants that protect us from cellular damage. plus, it’s delicious!

if you like bourbon or don’t, i think you will love today’s apple cider cocktail. it’s the perfect cocktail to serve to friends and family right through the holidays’. i tweaked the recipe and swapped the apple cider with sparkling apple cider. 

all the fall colors are making an appearance in my home. who doesn’t love this time of year?! cork placemats (old, similar here and here) are a breeze to clean and a favorite of mine. this cork placemat for Christmas or this one for Halloween put the spotlight on the holidays. white dinner plates and bee glassware keep the table setting simple and sleek. 

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stuffed acorn squash

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• Author: Beth Djalali

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

2 whole acorn squash cut in half

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 lb ground turkey

1 1/2 cups baby bella mushrooms chopped

1 onion chopped

1 cup honey crisp apples peeled & chopped in small pieces

1/2 cup chicken stock

2 teaspoons fresh rosemary chopped finely

1 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, gruyere, or mozzarella. i chose gruyere)

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Instructions

Preheat over to 450 degrees.

Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment + spray with olive oil to prevent squash from sticking.

Slice acorn squash in half, scoop out sides, and place flat on baking sheet.

Bake the squash for 20 minutes, until it’s tender when pierced with a fork.

While the squash cooks – heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan. Add onions and cook until soft. Add the turkey and sauté for 10-15 minutes until brown.

While the turkey is cooking, chop mushrooms, apples, and rosemary.

Add in chopped mushrooms, apples, rosemary, chicken stock, and spices to the cooked turkey. Sauté for 5 minutes.

When the squash is done, remove from the oven. Scoop out most of the cooked center, leaving a little bit of the filling in the acorn squash.

Add the squash filling to the turkey/mushroom/apple mixture in the pan. Stir until completely mixed.

Scoop the turkey/squash mixture back into the squash. Top with cheese of choice.

Bake squash at 450 for 5-10 minutes until cheese melts. Optional: broil for 2-3 minutes for a crisp top.

apple cider cocktail

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• Author: Beth Djalali

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

Cinnamon Sugar to rim glasses

1/4 cup apple cider

1 1/2 ounces whiskey or bourbon

1/2 ounce elderflower liquor (St. Germain)

juice from 1/2 lemon

1–2 teaspoons maple syrup or 1/2 ounce simple syrup

dash ground cinnamon

dash ground ginger

sparkling water for topping

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Instructions

Rim glasses in cinnamon sugar.

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker except the sparkling water. Add ice and shake to combine. Strain into a glass.

Top with sparkling water. Serve with a cinnamon stick, rosemary sprig, or both.

Notes

I substituted the apple cider and sparkling water with sparkling apple cider.

the pumpkins and mums have arrived! my front porch is slowly transitioning from summer to fall. but how cute is this casual ootd? a pop of pink is just the ticket for a beautiful fall day. this cashmere sweater from Talbots is absolutely adorable and is the perfect match for a pair of relaxed jeans. it was a chilly day, so i layered the sweater over a gingham blouse (old, similar here and here) to keep warm. tasseled loafers are just the ticket to complete this fall look.

denim | sweater | blouse (old, similar here and here)  | loafers

oscar, and i wish you a lovely weekend! TGIF!

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Beth Djalali

is the Founder and CEO of Style at a Certain Age. She writes Sundays-Fridays on all topics ranging from fashion, health, wellness, home design and more.

She’s 65, 5’8, and size 8.

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