Roasted Acorn Squash – Slender Kitchen

This Roasted Acorn Squash recipe is an ode to my mother’s recipe that she would make once I was youthful! She would roast the squash after which mash it into the right creamy squash. 

This recipe is a bit of bit completely different, however nonetheless has that very same roasted taste! However as a substitute of mashing up the squash, I serve it as is. The squash form of acts as its personal little bowl, so you’ll be able to fill it up together with your favourite dishes and eat all of it in the identical scrumptious mouthful! That is my favourite a part of the leftovers.

It is also a gorgeous facet dish on any vacation desk because the presentation is beautiful.

Roasted Acorn Squash is the right fall and winter facet dish for busy weeknight dinners and vacation meals. Regardless of the way you serve it, it’s going to be a success.

In search of extra methods to cook dinner squash? Do this roasted delicata squash, Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash, and Simple Grilled Acorn Squash!

Why You may Love This Straightforward Roasted Acorn Squash

Listed below are a few of our high the reason why you’ll love this cozy facet dish:

• Versatile: You’ll be able to mess around with completely different substances to get a personalized squash recipe!
• Flavorful: The butter, brown sugar, and spices create a decadent layer of taste that blends superbly with the acorn squash!
• Nutritious: This recipe is simply as nutritious as it’s scrumptious! Acorn squash is full of vitamins, making it the right addition to any meal.

Components and Substitutions

To make this roasted acorn squash, you have to the next key substances:

• Acorn squash: This winter squash is of course candy and buttery, making it the right base for our scrumptious dish. For those who’ve by no means had acorn squash earlier than, some individuals say it tastes a bit like a cross between butternut squash and pumpkin.
• Brown sugar: A small quantity of brown sugar goes a great distance in including super taste to this dish. You could possibly additionally use maple syrup or honey.
• Butter: There isn’t any higher topping for Roasted Acorn Squash than melted butter. Belief me on this. It makes it completely wealthy, savory, and flavorful.
• Spices: I like to make use of a mix of garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and chili powder. Be at liberty to swap out the chili powder for smoked paprika or use any mixture of spices you like.

Learn how to Make Roasted Acorn Squash

It’s really easy to make this recipe! Right here’s a breakdown of what to do:

1. Prep the Squash

Preheat your oven, then lower the acorn squash in half and take away the seeds. For a faster cook dinner, microwave the squash halves with a bit of water till they’re fork-tender.

Professional tip: For those who like, you’ll be able to lower the acorn squash into slices and roast it within the oven as a substitute of popping it into the microwave! Brush the butter, brown sugar, and spices on high and bake for 25 minutes.

2. Combine the Spices

Mix the brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt in a small bowl, making a candy and savory spice mix.

3. Add Butter and Spice

Place the squash halves in a baking dish, add a pat of butter to every half, and sprinkle the spice mix evenly over the tops.

4. Roast and Caramelize

Bake the squash till it’s tender and starting to caramelize. For further sweetness and a nutty crunch, add some chopped nuts in the previous few minutes. If you would like a crisp, caramelized high, broil briefly to complete.

How are you aware when acorn squash is completed?

It must be achieved when the flesh is fork-tender! If not, simply hold roasting till it’s.

Learn how to Reduce Acorn Squash Like a Professional

This recipe does require your squash to be lower in half and seeded. To chop your squash, begin on one facet of the stem and lower straight by. Then, lower across the acorn, by the tip, and across the different facet. Then, simply pull the 2 sides aside.

Methods to Serve

There are such a lot of methods to take pleasure in this drool-worthy dish! You’ll be able to eat it by itself or with one of many following strategies:

Recipe Ideas

Listed below are my high suggestions and methods for bringing this scrumptious acorn squash to life:

• Change up your spices: Don’t be afraid to get inventive with regards to your spices. Utilizing contemporary herbs like rosemary, thyme, or dried Italian seasoning is a scrumptious means of creating this roasted squash recipe your individual. For a little bit of spice, you’ll be able to even sprinkle some cayenne pepper on high! You can too do a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg for a comfy twist!
• Use a chef’s knife: Acorn squashes could be powerful to chop by, so be sure you are utilizing the correct supplies! A chef’s knife is my most popular technique of chopping this squash, however any heavy-duty kitchen knife ought to do the trick.
• Add cheese: A sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese, manchego, feta, or goat cheese will take your Roasted Acorn Squash to the following degree, assured.
• Save your seeds: Acorn squash seeds are nice to save lots of and roast later for a simple and wholesome snack or salad topping.
• Up the warmth: For a gorgeous caramelization of your squash, ensure to broil it for the previous few minutes.
• Line your pan: For straightforward cleanup, all the time line your baking pan with parchment paper.
• Add nuts: I like so as to add pecans to my acorn squash, however walnuts could be excellent, too!
• Make it vegan: As an alternative of the butter, use olive oil or dairy-free butter.
• Make it savory: Sprinkle some cooked bacon or crumbled sausage on high for a savory twist!

Learn how to Purchase Acorn Squash

By no means purchased acorn squash earlier than? Undecided what ripe squash appears to be like like? No worries! Right here’s what to search for when choosing out your squash:

• Heavy: A ripe acorn squash ought to really feel heavy, and its pores and skin must be blemish-free and spotless.
• Agency: Your squash must be agency and never have any noticeable mushy spots.
• Coloration: Ripe acorn squash is darkish inexperienced and might need a patch of yellow or orange (from touching the bottom previous to choosing). Nevertheless, watch out! An excessive amount of orange means it’s over-ripe, and the flesh could also be stringy.
• Pores and skin: Attempt to keep away from choosing a squash with shiny pores and skin, as this implies it was in all probability picked too early.

Learn how to Retailer Roasted Acorn Squash

I personally discover that this dish is essentially the most scrumptious contemporary out of the oven, however you’ll be able to simply make it upfront if wanted. To retailer your Roasted Acorn Squash for later, ensure to let it calm down first. Then, switch the leftovers to an hermetic container or storage bag. As soon as correctly contained, you’ll be able to retailer the squash in certainly one of two methods:

• Fridge: As much as 3-5 days.
• Freezer: As much as 3 months.

Professional Tip: If you’re planning on freezing your acorn squash, I don’t suggest freezing your entire factor as is. It’ll freeze higher if you happen to scoop out the flesh previous to freezing it.

Learn how to Reheat Leftover Acorn Squash

Reheating leftover acorn squash is simple peasy! This is the way you do it:

Flip the oven to 350 levels and place the leftover squash on a baking sheet or in a baking dish. Reheat for no less than quarter-hour.

You’ll be able to eat the heated acorn squash as is or mash it up similar to my mother used to do!

To mash up the acorn squash, scoop out the insides with a spoon and mash it with a potato masher. Garnish with further butter, brown sugar, and a sprinkle of spices as a result of why not?