Here’s a REALLY delicious way to prepare acorn squash. You could use this same method for preparing any fall/winter squash such as pumpkin or butternut squash. It’s about as easy as you could make any recipe and can be altered to make it your preferred way. There is a video demonstration below of how to make the dish, with the written recipe following that.
Enjoy!
Judi
Sweet Roasted Acorn Squash (No Oil)
1 Acorn squash
1 Tbsp water
1 Tbsp maple syrup (or more to taste)
Ground cinnamon (or other seasoning if preferred)
Preheat the oven to 375°F with a rack in the middle of the oven.
Wash the acorn squash, then cut off the stem end. Cut the squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and strings with a spoon. Place the squash halves cut side down on a cutting board and slice them about ½ to ¾-inch thick with a sharp knife.
Place the sliced squash in a large bowl. Mix the water and maple syrup in a small bowl. Drizzle the liquid over the squash pieces. Sprinkle the squash with cinnamon. Toss the squash pieces with your hands to disburse the syrup water and seasoning.
Lay the seasoned squash slices on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Roast them in your preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, until they are fork-tender and caramelized. Remove them from the oven and allow them to cool.
Your roasted squash can be eaten with or without the peel. If desired, the peel can easily be removed by pulling it off with your fingers, or the squash pulp can be removed from the peel with a spoon.
Tips: If preferred, other seasoning can be used such as nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, apple pie spice, or allspice. Any sweetener of your choice can be used if preferred. More sweetener can also be used, but remember that the sugars in the squash and sweetener will be concentrated in the roasting process, so it may turn out sweeter than expected if you add too much!
Serving suggestion: Drizzle a little coconut milk over your roasted squash for a pudding-like dessert. Or simply enjoy it as it is for an easy side dish or even dessert. To dress it up, sprinkle the roasted squash with chopped nuts and even some chocolate chips, if desired! Get imaginative 🙂