I remember the first time I made Simanim Stuffed Butternut Squash at home—it was for a cozy Rosh Hashanah dinner with just a few close family members. The way the sweet roasted squash paired with the savory stuffing made everyone pause and genuinely enjoy their meal. It wasn’t just a dish; it felt like a tradition forming right in our kitchen. Since then, this Simanim Stuffed Butternut Squash has become a reliable go-to for holiday vegetable dishes in our family, especially when we want a meaningful, comforting centerpiece that’s both festive and delicious.
This Simanim Stuffed Butternut Squash fits beautifully into everyday cooking because it uses simple ingredients you probably have on hand, yet it yields impressive results that your friends and family will appreciate. It’s a wonderful way to bring symbolic Jewish New Year foods into your home without fuss or fancy techniques. I appreciate how it balances well with other traditional Rosh Hashanah recipes, making the whole meal feel connected and thoughtful. For those of you looking for a dependable dish that stays true to the spirit of the holiday, this stuffed squash with grains and nuts will quickly become one of your favorites.
If you’re wondering whether this dish is worth your kitchen time, trust me—it absolutely is. Preparing the simanim ingredients takes some attention, but the result is deeply satisfying. This recipe is approachable and straightforward, perfect for both seasoned cooks and those newer to holiday cooking. And if you want more inspiration for keeping your meals reliable and crowd-pleasing, check out my recipe for chicken piccata pasta. It’s another dish that never lets me down when I want something tasty without stress.
I’m excited to share this Simanim Stuffed Butternut Squash with you, hoping it becomes a staple in your holiday celebrations or any time you want a special vegetable dish that speaks to tradition and taste. Cooking friends, give this a try—you’ll appreciate how it brings the season’s flavors to the table in a simple, doable way.
What You’ll Need:
For this Simanim Stuffed Butternut Squash, I stick to easy-to-find, budget-friendly ingredients that come together beautifully. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

- 1 large butternut squash (about 3 pounds), halved and seeded
- 1 cup cooked quinoa or brown rice (I often swap quinoa for rice, depending on what’s on hand)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (either works great; walnuts add a nice crunch)
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries or raisins (for a touch of sweetness)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped, for garnish
No worries if you don’t have quinoa or nuts; sometimes I use bulgur wheat or even chopped almonds to change things up. These substitutions keep the dish accessible without losing its heart.
Most of these ingredients you’ll find in the regular grocery aisle or the spice section, which is handy when you want a simple shopping trip. This Simanim Stuffed Butternut Squash keeps costs reasonable too since it leans on pantry staples and seasonal produce.
A little kitchen tip: If you buy pre-chopped onions or use frozen garlic paste, you can speed up the simanim ingredients preparation and get your dish on the table that much faster. Leftovers keep well for up to three days in the fridge, making this a great make-ahead meal. Just reheat gently so the squash stays tender.
For the stuffing, I like adding a tad more dried fruit than some recipes suggest—gives that nice balance of sweet against the savory filling.
Let’s Make It Together:
Making Simanim Stuffed Butternut Squash is straightforward and a great project for a relaxed evening in the kitchen. From start to finish, expect about an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes.
- Prepare the squash: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Place your halved butternut squash cut-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Roast for about 40 minutes or until the flesh is tender when poked with a fork. While the squash roasts, you can start prepping your stuffing ingredients.
- Make the simanim ingredients: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until soft and translucent. Toss in the minced garlic, cinnamon, cumin, and allspice—it’ll fill your kitchen with amazing aromas. Cook for another minute until fragrant. This step really deepens the flavor of your Simanim Stuffed Butternut Squash.
- Combine the stuffing: In a bowl, mix your cooked quinoa or rice with the sautéed onion and spice mix. Fold in the chopped nuts and dried cranberries or raisins. Season to taste with salt and pepper. If the mixture looks dry, add a tablespoon of warm water or broth to moisten it slightly.
- Fill the squash: Once your butternut squash halves are roasted and cool enough to handle, scoop out some of the flesh to create a cavity, leaving about a 1/2-inch border to hold the stuffing. Mix the scooped squash with the stuffing mixture and then generously fill the cavity with this blend.
- Bake again: Place the filled squash halves on the baking sheet. Return to the oven and bake for another 20 minutes. This allows the flavors to marry and the top to brown slightly, making your Simanim Stuffed Butternut Squash look as good as it tastes.
- Final touch: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or cilantro over the top before serving to add a fresh pop of color and brightness.
A kitchen confidence tip: Don’t rush the roasting of the squash or the simmering of the spices—that’s where a lot of the character of your Simanim Stuffed Butternut Squash comes from. While the squash roasts, you can prep a simple salad or set your table to keep dinner flowing smoothly.
If you’re curious about other holiday-appropriate recipes, you might enjoy this post about fall recipes for Rosh Hashana using fresh produce—it complements these holiday vegetable dishes beautifully.
How to Serve & Enjoy:
Serving Simanim Stuffed Butternut Squash is easy and always feels special. I usually present it right in the squash halves for a rustic, homey look that sparks conversation at the table. The warm colors alone lift the mood.
This dish pairs wonderfully with roasted chicken or brisket, making it a natural fit for any Rosh Hashanah feast or holiday gathering. It’s a nice balance to heavier mains and adds a colorful, healthful touch to the meal.
Sometimes, I like to round the meal out with a crisp green salad dressed lightly with lemon and olive oil—something to freshen the palate. If you want dessert options, my pistachio lush dessert is a crowd-pleaser and brings a bit of nutty sweetness that echoes the squash stuffing.
Leftovers of this Simanim Stuffed Butternut Squash are fantastic reheated for lunches or even mixed into a warm grain bowl with some fresh greens. I’ve also tried variations where I added sautéed mushrooms into the stuffing, which gave the dish a nice earthiness perfect for the cooler months.
Friends have told me they love this dish because it’s hearty but not heavy and feels like a thoughtful way to celebrate the holiday with symbolic foods.
For more ideas that celebrate symbolic Jewish New Year foods, the Guide to the Simanim page at Family Friends Food offers a nice background and suggestions to try alongside this recipe.
Your Questions Answered:
I get a lot of questions about making Simanim Stuffed Butternut Squash, and I’m happy to share what I’ve learned making this recipe time and again.
- Can I make this Simanim Stuffed Butternut Squash ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can prep the squash and stuffing separately, then assemble and bake it right before your meal. I usually roast the squash a day ahead and store it in the fridge, then fill and bake the next day. This helps the flavors, too. - What’s a good substitute for quinoa in this Simanim Stuffed Butternut Squash?
Brown rice or bulgur wheat works well. I’ve also tried millet with good results. Just use whatever grain you have handy. - Can I use different nuts?
Yes! I switch between walnuts, pecans, and almonds depending on what’s in my pantry, and they all offer a nice crunch. - How do I adjust this recipe for more people?
It’s easy to scale up. Just roast extra butternut squash halves or whole ones, and increase your stuffing ingredients proportionally. This Simanim Stuffed Butternut Squash holds up well, so doubling works fine. - Is the stuffing gluten-free?
Yes, if you use quinoa or rice. If you try bulgur, it’s not gluten-free, so swap accordingly. - Can I add something green?
Sure! Spinach or kale stirred lightly into the stuffing before baking adds color and nutrition. - How spicy is the seasoning?
This Simanim Stuffed Butternut Squash leans on warm spices like cinnamon and cumin, so it’s aromatic but not spicy-hot. You can add a pinch of chili flakes if you want a gentle kick.
If you want to chat with other home cooks about symbolic Jewish New Year foods and get more ideas, there’s a welcoming community on Facebook sharing fall recipes for Rosh Hashana, where this type of holiday vegetable dish gets a lot of love.
Final Thoughts:
Simanim Stuffed Butternut Squash holds a special place in my recipe box because it brings tradition, comfort, and flavor together in a beautiful, manageable dish. The way it captures the essence of symbolic Jewish New Year foods makes it feel meaningful beyond just being good food.

My Best Simanim Stuffed Butternut Squash Tips:
– Take your time roasting the squash to get tender flesh without drying it out.
– Don’t skimp on the spices in your stuffing—they lift the whole dish.
– Mix dried fruit and nuts generously to balance savory and sweet perfectly.
I’ve tested variations adding mushrooms, extra greens like kale, and even swapping in barley for a nice chewy texture. My most requested version is the classic with quinoa, walnuts, and cranberries—it’s a crowd favorite every time.
If you try this recipe, make it your own. Adjust the herbs, grains, and nuts to what you love or have on hand. For a well-rounded meal, why not add my turkey burger chili on a chilly night or finish with pistachio lush dessert? Both fit the warm, home-cooked feel this Simanim Stuffed Butternut Squash offers.
I hope you find as much joy making and sharing this as my family has. It’s a recipe that anchors the holiday table and brings everyone together. Cooking friends, here’s to great food that feels like home—give this Simanim Stuffed Butternut Squash a spot on your menu soon!
Simanim Stuffed Butternut Squash
Simanim Stuffed Butternut Squash is a vibrant and symbolic dish combining roasted butternut squash with a flavorful medley of traditional simanim ingredients, perfect for celebrating meaningful occasions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 70 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Jewish
Ingredients
- 1 large butternut squash, halved and seeded
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup cooked black-eyed peas
- 1/2 cup cooked barley
- 1/2 cup diced pomegranate seeds
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped scallions
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup toasted walnuts, chopped
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Brush the butternut squash halves with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Place squash on a baking sheet, cut side down, and roast for 40-45 minutes or until tender.
- While squash is roasting, combine black-eyed peas, barley, pomegranate seeds, parsley, scallions, garlic, cinnamon, cumin, lemon juice, remaining olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix well.
- Once the squash is done, flip the halves cut side up and fill each cavity with the simanim mixture.
- Sprinkle toasted walnuts on top of the filling.
- Return stuffed squash to the oven and bake an additional 10 minutes to warm the filling.
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm.
Notes
For added richness, drizzle tahini sauce over the stuffed squash before serving or garnish with fresh pomegranate arils for extra color and crunch.

