Best Cheeky Cherry Acorn Squash Recipes

CHEF JOHN'S BAKED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Score the squash by making 1/4-inch deep slashes into the flesh of the squash. Place in baking dish. Brush with orange juice and sprinkle with salt.
• Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, about 30 min.
• Meanwhile, simmer butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a small skillet over medium heat until smooth and the sugar has dissolved, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Remove the squash from the oven. Pour out any liquid that may have collected in the squash. Brush the glaze over each squash half. Return to the oven until tender, about 20 more minutes. Spoon any glaze that has collected at the bottom of the squash over the edges of the squash. Season with additional salt, if desired.

CHEESY ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 375. Cut squash in half and scrape out the seeds (set aside for replanting or discard) and place the squash cut side up in 13x9 baking dish. Add 1/2 cup water to dish and cover. Bake 40 minutes or until squash is tender. Mix butter, sugar and oil and spoon over squash. Top with cheese and cinnamon and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes.
• 2. Note: To make squash easier to cut in half, pierce the whole squash in several pieces with a sharp knife. Place on microwave plate and heat on high for 2 minutes. Cook for 2 minutes and cut in half.

CHEESY RICE-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Position a rack in the upper third of the oven; preheat to 425 degrees F. Put the squash, cut-side up, in a large microwave-safe dish with 1 tablespoon water; dot with 1 tablespoon butter and season with salt and pepper. Cover with plastic wrap and pierce with a knife to vent. Microwave until tender, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion; cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute. Add the flour and cook, stirring, 3 minutes. Whisk in the milk until smooth, then bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Add the cheese, stirring to melt. Add the nutmeg, 3/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Stir in the rice and spinach.
• Transfer the squash to a rimmed baking sheet and fill with the rice mixture. Sprinkle with more cheese and bake until lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Top with parsley.