Immune Boosting Stuffed Carnival Squash
Looking for a cozy, immune-boosting meal that's packed with flavor? These stuffed squashes are bursting with ingredients that help keep your immune system in tip-top shape. Each bite is loaded with nutritious veggies, protein-packed lentils, and immune-supporting herbs and spices. Plus, they’re just so satisfying!
Let’s talk about the star ingredients and how they work together to give your immune system a serious boost.
What’s in this dish?
Lemon Olive Oil
Olive oil is already a fantastic source of healthy fats, but adding lemon takes it to another level by boosting the vitamin C content. Vitamin C helps your body ward off infections, and healthy fats help you absorb all the good stuff from the other ingredients.
Minced Garlic
Garlic is the real MVP when it comes to immune support. Its sulfur compounds, like allicin, have antiviral and antibacterial properties, which means it helps your body fight off illness. Plus, garlic adds so much flavor that you’ll hardly notice you’re eating something so good for you.
Green Lentils Cooked in Vegetable Stock
Lentils are a great source of plant-based protein, which is key for repairing and maintaining healthy cells, including immune cells. Cooking them in vegetable stock adds extra nutrients and flavor, making this dish hearty and nutritious. Lentils also bring iron and folate to the table, both of which are important for a strong immune system.
Black-Eyed Peas
These little legumes are packed with fiber, protein, and zinc, which helps boost your body’s immune response. They’re also full of folate, an essential nutrient for cell repair and immune function.
Eggplant-Based Vegan Sausage
This plant-based sausage adds fiber and antioxidants like nasunin, which helps protect cells from damage. Fiber is great for gut health, and a healthy gut is key to a strong immune system.
Green Onions & Fresh Parsley
Both of these herbs bring immune-boosting vitamins A and C to the mix. Green onions have antiviral properties, while parsley is loaded with antioxidants to fight off free radicals.
Spinach
Spinach is a nutrient powerhouse. Full of vitamins A and C, it helps protect your cells and keep your immune system running smoothly. Plus, it’s an excellent source of iron, which helps keep your energy levels up when your body is fighting off illness.
Carnival Squash
This colorful squash is not just a pretty face—it’s rich in vitamins A and C, both of which are vital for a strong immune system. Vitamin A helps maintain healthy skin and mucous membranes, while vitamin C supports white blood cell function. The squash also provides fiber for digestion, helping you absorb all these fantastic nutrients.
Davlie’s Immune-Boosting Seasoning Blend
A perfect blend of immune-supporting herbs and spices like turmeric and ginger, this seasoning adds a warm, comforting flavor while giving your body the tools it needs to fight off infections.
How It All Works Together:
Each ingredient plays a role in boosting your immune system, from the vitamins in the spinach and squash to the protein and fiber from the lentils and black-eyed peas.
Garlic and green onions provide extra antibacterial and antiviral power, while the seasoning blend adds inflammation-fighting benefits.
Together, these ingredients create a nutrient-dense, immune-boosting meal that’s perfect for cooler weather and keeping your body strong.
Here's the recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 carnival squashes, halved and seeds removed
- 2 tablespoons lemon olive oil
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- ½ cup green lentils, rinsed
- 32 oz. vegetable stock
- 1 can black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
- 2 eggplant-based vegan sausages, diced
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 handfuls fresh spinach, chopped
- 2 tablespoons Davlie’s Immune-Boosting Seasoning Blend*
- Salt, to taste, optional
Directions:
Prepare the squash: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Rub the insides of the squash halves with a little lemon olive oil, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon Davlie's Immune-Boosting Seasoning Blend, and roast them cut-side up in a baking dish for 45 minutes, or until tender.
Cook the lentils: While the squash is roasting, rinse the lentils and then combine the lentils and vegetable stock in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, until the lentils are tender, but not mushy. Drain and set aside until the rest of the stuffing is ready.
Sauté the garlic and sausage: In a large pan, heat the remaining lemon olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Toss in the diced vegan sausage and cook for 3 minutes.
Mix in the veggies and lentils: Add the black-eyed peas, green onions, and spinach to the pan. Stir in Davlie’s Immune-Boosting Seasoning Blend and cook for 8-10 minutes, keeping an eye on the black eyed peas. Don't let them get mushy! Remove from heat and stir in the fresh parsley and drained green lentils. As an option, you can add salt to taste here but it's your preference!
Stuff the squash: Once the squash is done, take them out of the oven and spoon the lentil stuffing mixture into each half. You can pile it high—don’t be shy!
Serve and enjoy! These stuffed squashes are hearty enough to stand alone, but you can also serve them with a side salad or some crusty bread if you like.
This stuffed squash recipe is not just delicious but also packed with immune-boosting ingredients to help you feel your best. It’s warm, comforting, and full of flavor—a perfect dish for fall or anytime you need a little extra nourishment.
*Davlie’s Immune-Boosting Seasoning Blend is currently being tested in our kitchen and will be available for purchase soon! Join our newsletter to get the latest updates on new products and advances in health and wellness!
