Easy Roasted Acorn Squash

Name: Easy Roasted Acorn Squash
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients: 1 medium acorn squash (about 1 pound); 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces and at room temperature; Kosher salt; Freshly ground black pepper; 2 teaspoons packed light or dark brown sugar

Acorn Squash Christmas Thanksgiving Roasting Healthy Low Carb Vegetarian Winter Squash Side Dish Fall Vegetables Easy Squash

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2 servings Easy

Total: 1 hr 15 mins Active: 15 mins

16 Ratings

Ingredients (5)

1 medium acorn squash (about 1 pound)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces and at room temperature
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons packed light or dark brown sugar

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Nutritional Information

Calories155
Fat6.01g
Saturated fat3.7g
Trans fat0.23g
Carbs27.03g
Fiber3.58g
Sugar2.92g
Protein1.95g
Cholesterol15.27mg
Sodium8.57mg
Nutritional Analysis per serving (2 servings) Powered by

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As summer transitions into fall, hard squashes begin filling produce bins in grocery stores and farmers’ markets. One of our favorites for roasting simply is acorn squash, which has a blackish-green, deeply ridged skin and bright golden flesh. Acorn is not a flashy squash like delicata, or a meaty fall and winter workhorse like butternut, but it’s tender and delicate, with a subtly sweet and earthy flavor that takes well to butter and brown sugar. Here, you begin by splitting an acorn squash lengthwise, scooping the seeds, and cutting a tiny slice from the back of each half so it’ll be stable in a roasting pan. (If you’re shy about whacking the squash in half, you can always microwave it first to make things easier.) Season the cut sides with salt and pepper, and drop just enough butter and brown sugar in the cavities to become a delicious glaze when baked in a hot oven.

This was featured in our Recipes for Fall Ingredients photo gallery and is a perfect addition to a Thanksgiving table. For more, check out our Roasted Acorn Squash with Wild Rice Stuffing or Acorn Squash with Red Onion and Currants.

And when you’re ready to branch out into other winter squash dishes, this Maple Hasselback Butternut Squash is a star. Check out all the best of pumpkins on Chowhound too.

by Chowhound Editors

What to buy

USA Pan Extra Large Rimmed Baking Sheet with Nonstick Cooling Rack

This baking pan is great for making everything from dessert to main courses, and the cooling rack does double duty as a roasting rack when you need it to.
See It ›

Tips for Christmas

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Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25?

There are several reasons Christmas is celebrated on Dec. 25. The date is nine months after March 25, a day recognized by Christians as Annunciation. It was the day Mary was told she would was having a baby. The nine months that follow are an approximation of Jesus’ birth. Dec. 25 also coincides with pagan Winter Solstice celebrations like Saturnalia' and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti. Since they were historically celebrated around that time of year there was precedent for holiday festivities during this time of year.

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Next: What Does the Name 'Christmas' Mean and What Is the Meaning of Christmas?

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What Does the Name 'Christmas' Mean and What Is the Meaning of Christmas?

Christmas is a shortened from the words “Christ’s mass.” It’s derived from the Middle English word "Cristemasse" which has Greek, Hebrew and Latin origins. Christmas is an annual holiday that honors the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated by Christians around the world and is regarded as an important religious and cultural holiday.

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How Can We Celebrate Christmas?

Christmas is traditionally celebrated in many ways and celebrations vary across cultures. In the days leading up to Christmas, people usually put up special decorations including colorful lights and evergreen trees. Gifts are often placed under the tree and exchanged on Christmas day among loved ones. Large meals are also typically served as part of the celebration as well.

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Instructions

1Heat the oven to 400°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Cut the squash in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Cut a small slice off the rounded side of each half to stabilize the halves so they sit upright.
2Using your fingers, coat the flesh of each half with 1 piece of the butter, then season generously with salt and pepper. Divide the sugar and remaining butter pieces among the squash cavities. Place the halves cut-side up on a baking sheet. Roast until fork-tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

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Recommended from Chowhound

Roasted Acorn Squash with Wild Rice Stuffing

(01:25)

Video from Recipes

Roasted acorn squash is a hearty, relatively low-effort meal that's easily adapted to whatever ingredients you prefer (or happen to have on hand). The wild rice stuffing here is enhanced with sauteed onions, shallots, and celery, plus dried cranberries and toasted pecans for crunch. Replace the butter with vegetable oil and it's also vegan! Or go meaty and add crumbled sausage to the mix. Get the recipe.