How to Roast Acorn Squash in the Oven

Let’s talk fall for a minute. Acorn squash.

On the outside, it may be dark green, orange, or beige. The ones with dark green skin seem to be more common at our local grocery stores, although Trader Joe’s had some pretty orange ones last fall. I find acorn squash easier to work with than the other amber-fleshed winter favorite, butternut squash, so we eat it often around here.

It’s so easy to cook: just halve, seed, and roast! And when you add a little butter, cinnamon and sugar for serving, it’s so good. I mean SO good. … Basically, if pumpkin pie was a side dish, this would be it :)

Oven-Roasted Acorn Squash

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 acorn squash

1 tablespoon butter

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon coconut sugar, or traditional light brown sugar

Pinch of salt

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

Using a large, sharp knife, slice the squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and strings and discard (or you can save the seeds for roasting). Place the squash halves, flesh side down, on the lined baking sheet. Roast in the oven for 30-40 minutes, or until flesh is soft.

Using a potholder, flip the squash over so the flesh side is facing up. Place 1/2 tablespoon butter in the cavity of each half. As the butter melts, spread it around with a spoon. Sprinkle each half with 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 tablespoon sugar, and a pinch of salt.  Serve immediately.

For serving, you can simply scoop out the flesh with a spoon and place on individual plates. Or you can slice each half down the middle and serve each person a wedge. Yum yum yum!!