How to Make Roasted Acorn Squash, by Cooking with Shirani on YouTube. 5 min 24 s.
- Video length
- 5 min 24 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Heat the oven to 400 F (204 C). Move a rack to the middle so the squash cooks evenly.
Rinse the acorn squash and pat it dry. Cut it in half from stem to tip with a sharp chef's knife, rocking the blade through the hard middle.
Scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp with a spoon. Scrape until the inside is clean and the flesh looks smooth.
Set the halves cut side up in a baking sheet or dish. Score the flesh in a crosshatch pattern about half an inch deep so the butter sinks in.
Rub or brush the cut sides with the 2 tablespoons of softened butter. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of brown sugar into each half.
Dust the tops with cinnamon and nutmeg. Use a light hand with nutmeg, since a little goes a long way.
Bake for 1 hour at 400 F, until a fork slides easily into the thickest part of the flesh.
About halfway through, at 30 minutes, pull out the pan and brush the halves with the melted butter and sugar pooling in the cavity.
Let the squash rest 5 minutes before serving. Spoon the syrupy juices from the pan over the top.
Tips and common mistakes
Microwave the whole squash for 2 to 3 minutes to soften the skin before cutting, which makes halving much safer.
Small squash cook faster, so start checking with a fork at 45 minutes.
Cut the halves into wedges after roasting for easier serving, or scoop the flesh out and mash it.
For a savory version, skip the sugar and use olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic instead of butter and spice.
Questions
Can I eat the skin of roasted acorn squash?
Yes, the skin softens enough to eat once roasted. Many people leave it on, but you can scoop the flesh out if you prefer.
Can I roast acorn squash ahead of time?
Yes. Roast it fully, cool it, and keep it covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat at 350 F for about 15 minutes.
What can I use instead of brown sugar?
Maple syrup or honey works well as a swap. You can also leave the sweetener out completely and roast with just butter, salt and pepper.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
