MAPLE ROASTED ACORN SQUASH

There are many different types of nutritious Squash that can be used for this easy to prepare recipe.  Use your favorite like Butternut or Sugar Pie Pumpkin or what ever looks best at the market.  I grew this Acorn Squash in my garden and thought it would make a great side dish in place of traditional Sweet Potatoes for a holiday dinner.  It can be served sweet with the Maple glaze or savory by using just the Butter, Olive Oil and Sage or Cayenne to really Spice it up.  The leftovers can be pureed into my recipe for Roasted Squash Soup by adding Chicken Stock and a touch of heavy Cream.   Serve this along your holiday Roast Turkey and your family table will look Amazing with a delicious side dish that even Aunt Pearl will love.  Maple Roasted Acorn Squash is a nutritious and easy dish to prepare.  When you are Cooking The Amazing even the good for you food can be the best tasting food, too!


Here is the recipe.



2  Acorn Squash
2-3 T Olive Oil
1/2 t  Fine Grain Sea Salt
1/2 t  Fresh Ground Black Pepper
1/4 c  Dark Brown Sugar
4 T  Maple Syrup
4 T  Butter



TIP:  This can also be made savory without the sweet Maple glaze and roasted with just Olive Oil, Butter, Salt and Pepper.  Make as directed and add 1/4 t Cayenne Pepper or 1 t Sage to the melted Butter for a kick of flavor.




1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Prepare a Cookie sheet by covering it with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy clean up. 

2.  Using a large knife cut the Acorn Squash in half and remove all the seeds using a large spoon and place flesh side up on a Cookie sheet.  Brush Olive Oil over the entire top surface then sprinkle with 1/2 t of Sea Salt and 1/2 t fresh ground Black Pepper.
Roast in the oven on middle rack at 400 degrees for 45 minutes.   Later you will add the Maple glaze and roast again.

3.  Remove from the oven after 45 minutes of roasting.  In a small pot over medium low heat add the Dark Brown Sugar, Maple Syrup and Butter and simmer for 2 minutes or until the Butter and Brown Sugar have melted and combined.  Mix well with a spoon and brush evenly on the Acorn Squash.  Pour any left over into the well of the Squash.

4.  Place back into the oven and continue roasting at 400 degrees for 12-25 more minutes or until the Acorn Squash is soft and a fork easily pierces the flesh and it has well browned areas on the surface.   The outer skin should be soft and pliable.  Remove from the oven and brush any Syrup that has collected in the well of the Squash over the surface again and serve immediately.

*Click here for my Amazing Roasted Squash Soup recipe.

Click here for my Amazing Roast Turkey recipe.

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