Make the most effective roasted acorn squash with this easy recipe. It’s simple to make and the right fall aspect for weeknight dinners or the vacations.
I’ve by no means met a squash I didn’t like and recently I’ve been on a roll with all of the winter squash recipes. There are simply so many alternative varieties and methods to arrange squash… it’s been enjoyable to experiment. My newest winter squash journey was with acorn squash.
Acorn squash is usually served as a candy dish, normally steamed within the oven with butter, cinnamon and a few kind of sugar. I like it like this for acorn squash yogurt bowls, however my favourite solution to take pleasure in acorn squash is by slicing it and roasting it up with savory seasonings. With roasting, the feel of the squash feels a bit extra dense (much less stringy), the squash is extra flavorful and the pores and skin will get good and tender.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Completely Crispy & Tender – Roasting acorn squash brings out its pure sweetness whereas making the sides golden and crispy. The feel is unbelievable—tender and flavorful on the within, with simply the correct quantity of crunch on the skin!
- Wholesome and Nourishing – Acorn squash is full of fiber, nutritional vitamins, and minerals.
- Simple and Versatile – With just some components, this roasted acorn squash is tremendous easy to make. Plus, you possibly can change up the flavors by including completely different herbs or spices.
- Excellent Aspect Dish – Whether or not you’re serving it at a vacation gathering or simply as a weeknight aspect, this roasted acorn squash is certain to impress. It’s nice by itself or tossed into salads, grain bowls, and even served alongside your favourite protein.
Roasted Acorn Squash Elements
- acorn squash – search for a medium-sized acorn squash with no tender spots. It’s a fantastic fall vegetable, naturally candy and tender when roasted.
- olive or avocado oil – helps the squash get golden and crispy within the oven. Both oil works nice!
- sea salt & pepper –fundamental seasonings to reinforce the pure flavors of the squash.
- garlic granules (or garlic powder) – provides a savory, garlicky taste that pairs completely with the sweetness of the squash.
- recent thyme – brings a recent, herby contact to the dish. You may as well use different herbs like rosemary or sage for a special taste.
- crushed pink pepper (non-obligatory) –iIf you want a bit of warmth, sprinkle some crushed pink pepper over the roasted squash for a little bit kick!
Taste Variations
Certainly one of my favourite issues about squash is that you may take the flavour any path you need! It’s naturally sweeter so pairs effectively with candy choices but in addition pairs effectively with savory and spicy seasonings. Listed here are some completely different variations to check out!
- Spicy roasted – Season squash with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika and a pinch of crushed pink pepper flakes. After baking, add a squeeze of lime juice for an additional kick!
- Maple roasted – Season squash with 1 tablespoon of maple syrup, 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
- Different candy choices – Coat squash with coconut oil after which sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of coconut sugar or brown sugar. Yum!
Find out how to Make Roasted Acorn Squash
Step 1: Wash and dry your acorn squash. Reduce the squash in half from high to backside, simply beside the stem. Use a spoon to take away the seeds and stringy innards from each halves.
Step 2: Reduce off the robust stems (from the highest and backside of the squash), peel the squash if desired after which reduce into 1″ thick slices.
Step 3: Place the acorn squash in a big bowl. Add the oil, salt, pepper, garlic and thyme. Toss to coat the squash.
Step 4: Prepare squash on a rimmed sheet pan, ensuring the squash isn’t overlapping. Roast at 400ºF for 40 minutes. Flip every slice over across the 20 minute mark, then bake for a further 20 minutes or till the squash is tender and golden. Sprinkle with crushed pink pepper, flaked sea salt and extra recent thyme earlier than serving if desired.
Brittany’s Tip
One factor I’ve discovered that makes an enormous distinction when roasting acorn squash is ensuring the slices are evenly coated with oil and spaced out on the baking sheet. It’s tempting to crowd the pan, however belief me—giving each bit some room lets them get completely crispy on the sides!
Find out how to Serve
- As a Aspect – This roasted acorn squash makes an ideal aspect for nearly any meal, particularly throughout fall and winter. It pairs superbly with roasted hen, turkey, and even grilled fish. For a comfy dinner, serve it alongside wholesome turkey chili.
- Tossed in a Salad – Add the roasted squash to a hearty salad with combined greens, quinoa, and your favourite fall toppings like dried cranberries, walnuts, or goat cheese. A drizzle of balsamic French dressing pulls all the pieces collectively.
- In a Grain Bowl – For a healthful, filling meal, toss the squash right into a grain bowl with farro, quinoa, or brown rice. High with protein like hen or tofu, and end with a tangy dressing like my tahini dressing.
- As a Snack – These roasted squash slices are nice as a wholesome snack on their very own. I like to sprinkle a little bit flaked sea salt and crushed pink pepper for further taste and luxuriate in them heat or chilly.
- In a Vacation Unfold – Roasted acorn squash is ideal for vacation meals! Serve it as a part of your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, together with dishes like wholesome mashed potatoes or roasted Brussels sprouts.
Continuously Requested Questions
Sure, you possibly can technically eat the pores and skin of acorn squash. It tends to get fairly tender and is sort of simple to eat as soon as roasted.
That mentioned, I personally discover the pores and skin of acorn squash to be thicker and fewer gratifying to eat than the pores and skin of delicata squash or kabocha squash so I are inclined to take it off. The excellent news is that even should you don’t need to eat the pores and skin, there’s no must peel the squash earlier than cooking as a result of it simply peels proper off after roasting. And to be trustworthy, peeling an acorn squash earlier than cooking isn’t any simple ft due to the ridges. That mentioned, it’s completely doable to peel an acorn squash earlier than cooking if in case you have the endurance. If you understand you need to peel it, you possibly can all the time search for an acorn squash that doesn’t have deep ridges to make it simpler.
As with most squashes, there are a selection of the way to cook dinner acorn squash! You may steam it, bake it, roast it and even grill it! Relying on the way you’re utilizing it, every choice could be good! I personally assume it tastes finest roasted in order that’s the recipe I’m sharing right here!
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