One of the easiest, healthiest, (and tastiest) fall vegetables is acorn squash. It’s packed with nutrients, and in most stores, it’s readily available and inexpensive. Baking the squash really brings out its flavors and gives it a sweet yet savory, seasonal flavor.
We suggest baking the squash with butter, brown sugar, and apple cider. In the oven, it takes about an hour, but you can also make it in the microwave and be finished cooking in about 15 minutes.
What you’ll need to serve 2 people:
1 acorn squash 1 – 2 cups apple cider or apple juice 4 teaspoons brown sugar (if you’re watching your sugar intake, you can cut this amount in half without sacrificing taste) 2 teaspoons butter
First, cut your acorn squash in half and poke some slices in it with a sharp knife or fork. If you have trouble cutting the squash, your grocery store may sell it pre-cut. Next, clean out any seeds and stringy bits. Place the squash in a baking dish (ceramic is best if you’re cooking in the microwave). Add a teaspoon of butter (it can be melted or unmelted), 2 teaspoons of brown sugar, and about ½ cup of apple cider or apple juice. You want the juice to almost fill the inside of the squash, so if you need more than ½ cup, that’s fine. Once you’ve got the ingredients in the squash, put it in the oven for about an hour. The juice helps moisten the squash and brings out its sweet flavor. You might not even need the brown sugar! The squash is ready to eat when it’s tender and can easily be pierced with a fork or knife. If you want to try it in the microwave, put the squash in a microwave-safe dish, cover, and cook until the squash is tender when you stick a fork in it — about 10 to 12 minutes. Then add the ingredients (brown sugar, butter and apple juice), cover, and cook for another 2 to 4 minutes. You can eat the squash alone as a vegetarian option, but it also goes well with meat, potatoes, or other vegetables. You may also want to add your own flavors. Some people enjoy nutmeg or cinnamon on their squash, and cutting up some apples and cooking them inside the squash can make it even more seasonal. Enjoy!