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Curried Chickpea stuffed Acorn Squash, all made in a Pressure cooker. One Pot meal! Vegan Gluten-free Soy-free.

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Pressure Cooker Curried chickpea Stuffed Acorn Squash | Vegan Richa

You know whats the fun part of using a pressure cooker? Everything is faster and energy efficient. As an Indian, I have my requisite set of stove top pressure cookers (read 4 or 5 per Indian household). 

Pressure cookers have come a long way from the just the manual control and stove top, to highly programmable, safe, blue tooth controllable, electric, multi-functional, multi pressure Instant Pot!.Instant Pot is fast becoming a household name with innumerable options and ease. If you haven’t tried pressure cooking, let 2015 be the year to add that to the to do list!

Today, I cook up chickpeas and brown rice stew in a pressure cooker and also throw in the acorn squash in a steamer basket. So everything gets cooked up together and is ready in 25 minutes! The squash cooks up perfectly in the pressure cooker. No hours of baking needed. Stuff the squash with the cooked chickpea and brown rice stew and serve! One Pot meal with chickpeas, brown rice, greens and squash!

Pressure Cooker Curried chickpea Stuffed Acorn Squash | Vegan Richa

More pressure cooker recipes from the blog.

Pressure Cooker Curried chickpea Stuffed Acorn Squash | Vegan Richa

If using cooked chickpeas cook the stew for 12 to 14 minutes. You can also chop up the squash into chunks and cook with the stew. 

The chickpeas need to be soaked because I am adjusting the cooking time depending on the squash and brown rice. If you use unsoaked chickpeas, the squash will become a mush in the 35 minute cooking time :).

Pressure Cooker Curried chickpea Stuffed Acorn Squash | Vegan Richa

I generally cook my beans and split peas in a Pressure cooker. It takes the guess work out of the time needed. Freshly cooked beans also produce less gas, if you know what I mean 🙂

Any of the split peas or chickpeas also do well in pressure cooker. Split peas are notorious for taking 3 to 4 times the cooking time mentioned for a saucepan, if they are old! 

Pressure Cooker Curried chickpea Stuffed Acorn Squash | Vegan Richa

 

Pressure Cooker Curried Chickpea stuffed Acorn Squash

4.41 from 10 votes
By: Vegan Richa
Prep: 25 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 55 minutes
Servings: 2
Course: Main
Cuisine: fusion
Curried Chickpea stuffed Acorn Squash, all made in a Pressure cooker. One Pot meal! Vegan Gluten-free Soy-free.
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Ingredients 
 

  • 3/4 cup dry chickpeas, about 1 3/4 cup when soaked
  • 1/4 cup brown rice, washed and soaked for half an hour
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 small acorn squash, halved and seeds removed
  • 1 tsp oil
  • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1/2 cup chopped red onion
  • 4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
  • 1/2 inch ginger, minced
  • 1 green chili, minced
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp garam masala
  • 1/2 tsp dry mango powder, amchur or use 1/2 tsp more lime juice
  • 2 small tomatoes chopped
  • 1/2 tsp lime juice
  • 1 cup loosely packed chopped greens , like rainbow chard or spinach
  • 1/2 tsp or more salt
  • 1/4 to 1/2 tsp cayenne
  • cilantro, paprika and black pepper for garnish

Instructions 

  • Soak the chickpeas overnight, soak the brown rice for atleast half an hour(about the time needed to prep).
  • In a pressure cooker, add oil and heat over medium heat.
  • Add cumin seeds and cook until they change color and get fragrant. about a minute.
  • Add onions, garlic, ginger and chili and a good pinch of salt. Cook for 5 minutes or until translucent.
  • Add spices and mix well for a few seconds. Add tomato, lime juice, and greens, cook until the tomatoes are saucy. 4 to 5 minutes. Add a splash of water to deglaze if needed in between. Add in salt, cayenne, chickpeas, rice and 2 cups water. Mix well.
  • Depending on the size of the pressure cooker and squash, you can add one half or both halves of the squash to the cooker. Place squash in a steamer basket or steamer plate (or any kind of holder which has space to allow the steam to circulate) over the chickpea mixture. Close the lid and cook over medium high heat until the (high) pressure is reached. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally. Open the lid, Carefully remove the steamer basket. Taste and adjust the chickpea rice stew. Taste and adjust salt and spice. Generously fill the squash with the chickpea rice mixture, garnish with cilantro and black pepper and serve.
  • Note: If the chickpeas are not cooked to preference. Cover the cooker (dont lock the lid) and cook over medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes.

Notes

To make in a saucepan: Follow instructions 1 through 5 in a saucepan to make the chickpea stew. Add another cup of water, Cover and cook until chickpeas and rice are cooked through. 35 to 40 minutes.
Bake the squash: Spray the squash halfs with oil. sprinkle with salt, pepper and garam masala and Bake at 400 degrees F for about an hour. Serve stuffed with chickpea stew.
Nutritional values based on one serving

Nutrition

Calories: 518kcal, Carbohydrates: 97g, Protein: 20g, Fat: 8g, Sodium: 714mg, Potassium: 1866mg, Fiber: 20g, Sugar: 12g, Vitamin A: 3365IU, Vitamin C: 52.4mg, Calcium: 203mg, Iron: 7.9mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this recipe? Rate and comment below!

Pressure Cooker Curried chickpea Stuffed Acorn Squash | Vegan Richa

 

About Richa

Hi, I'm Richa! I create flavorful plant based recipes that are inspired by my Indian upbringing, including many gluten-free, soy-free, and oil-free options.

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113 Comments

  1. muzikpixie says:

    I do use my pressure cooker now, but I would love to use am instant pot to make whole meals!

  2. karen says:

    I have never used one. Not sure I’ve ever even seen one! I’m curious about trying it to cook dried beans quickly.

  3. VeggieTown says:

    Looks delicious and healthy! Thanks for sharing!

  4. Karen D says:

    I love the convenience of using a pressure cooker, but have never used an electric one. Sure want to try, though.

  5. RRD says:

    All my friends have one and rave about it. Would be great if I could get one. Thanks for the giveaway!

  6. Laura H says:

    I do not use a pressure cooker, but I would love one! Especially a programmable one so that you can start it in the morning and dinner is ready when you get home from work 🙂

  7. Alison H. says:

    I have never used a pressure cooker simply because I don’t know how to.

  8. chill says:

    What a great way to supplement a busy life with a good home cooked meal when you return home!

  9. Terri Cole says:

    I have been using an Instant Pot for over a year and I love it. My one big regret was not waiting to get the one with the yogurt function. If I win this, I will give the one I have to my daughter. Thanks for the giveaway!

  10. Cecilia says:

    5 stars
    I totally like to use my pressure cooker and I’m always searching for new recipes. Your recipe sounds totally delicious, I will try it. Thanks for sharing.