As crisp, colder weather moves in, cooking habits tend to change. When looking for a nice side dish or an elegant main course that embodies the richness of fall, look no further than your grocer’s produce aisle or local farmer’s market. The produce I’m referring to: acorn squash. The sweet and buttery flavor of this winter squash is sure to please even the pickiest patron at your dinner table. Since acorn squash is a potent provider of much needed dietary fiber and potassium, it makes for a healthy and delectable dish. With many easy to make recipes, the acorn squash is very versatile.
The recipes I have included are a basic Baked Acorn Squash, a Stuffed Squash recipe, and an easy to make Mashed Maple Squash. My first recipe came from the kitchen of the renowned Paula Deen. Any who have watched her on television knows, if Paula’s in the kitchen, she’s using lots of butter. In this particular recipe, one can substitute healthier butter and margarine alternatives. Since the butter not only adds flavor, but keeps the texture of the acorn squash from being too dry, it is recommended that one uses a butter spray or other alternative to retain the squash’s moisture.
Baked Acorn Squash
1 acorn squash
2 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tbsp. butter, softened
2 tbsp. maple syrup
salt
black pepper
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Half the squash and scoop the seeds and pulp out and discard. Next, mix the brown sugar, butter, syrup and salt and pepper in a small bowl. Coat the insides of the squash with the butter mixture and place them on a baking sheet, fleshy side up. Bake for about 1 hour until the squash is tender when pierced with a fork. This recipe serves 2 people. You can multiply this recipe to accommodate your number of guests. This tasty side dish compliments pork, turkey, chicken, and lamb.
For the Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe, I chose a wonderful selection from Cooks.com. This recipe includes the use of roasted walnuts and raisins, which truly embodies the rich flavors of fall. This dish is sure to be an epicurean treat.
Stuffed Acorn Squash
3 acorn squash
1 c. cooked rice
1 c. herb seasoned stuffing mix
1/2 c. finely chopped onion
1/2 c. low sodium chicken broth
1/4 c. raisins
1/3 c. unsalted dry roasted walnuts
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Half each squash then remove the seeds and pulp. Discard the seeds and set aside the squash. Combine the remaining ingredients and mix. Then, fill the squash halves loosely with the stuffing mixture. Place the squash halves in a 9 x 13 inch pan and cover with aluminum foil. Bake until squash is tender when pierced with a fork. This may take from 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. The walnuts are optional in this recipe. This recipe serves six.
This next recipe, Mashed Maple Squash, is a healthy alternative to mashed potatoes. With the sweet and buttery flavor of the squash, this proves to be a savory side dish, perfect for ham, lamb, chicken, and other cuts of meat. The following recipe was borrowed from Eatingwell.com.
Mashed Maple Squash
1 acorn squash, halved and seeded
2 tbsp. pure maple syrup
1 tsp. butter
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Coat a 9 x 13in pan with cooking spray. Then place the squash halves in the pan with the cut-side down. Bake the squash until soft, this takes about 50 minutes. Let the squash cool for 10 minutes so they will be more manageable. Scrape the soft squash flesh into a bowl. Add the syrup, butter, cinnamon and salt with a fork, mashing the squash until somewhat smooth. This recipe serves up to 4 people.
I hope you enjoy these acorn squash recipes as much as I have enjoyed writing about them! With these effortless heart-healthy dishes, your family with get the nutrition they need with out much fuss. Enjoy!
Sources:
Paula Deen
Baked Acorn squash with Brown Sugar and Butter
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/baked-acorn-squash-with-brown-sugar-and-butter-recipe/index.html
Cooks.com Staff
Stuffed Acorn Squash
http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1826,148167-251193,00.html
Eatingwell.com staff
Mashed Maple Squash
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/mashed_maple_squash.html
