How to Cook Acorn Squash, by The Stay At Home Chef on YouTube. 3 min 17 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 17 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Heat your oven to 400 F (200 C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. The paper stops the cut edges from sticking and makes cleanup easy.
Wash the squash under running water and dry it. Cut about 1 inch off the stem end so you have a flat, stable surface to work with.
Stand the squash on that flat cut side and slice it in half from top to bottom. Keep your fingers clear of the blade and use a steady, heavy knife.
Scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp with a spoon. Scrape until the hollow center is clean and the flesh looks smooth.
Score the flesh in a crisscross pattern with your knife, cutting about 1/4 inch deep. This lets the butter and seasonings sink in.
Rub the cut flesh with butter, then season. For savory, sprinkle 1 to 2 teaspoons of sea salt and black pepper. For sweet, use 2 tablespoons brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.
Set the halves cut side up on the lined sheet and roast for 55 to 60 minutes. Smaller squash will finish closer to 55 minutes.
Test with a fork. When it slides in with no resistance, the squash is done. Flip the halves over and let them cool a few minutes before serving.
Tips and common mistakes
Microwave the whole squash for 2 to 3 minutes first if it is too hard to cut safely.
Roast cut side up so the butter and sugar pool in the hollow instead of running off.
Cook two squash at once since they keep well in the fridge for about four days.
Skip the sugar and use olive oil, garlic and herbs for a savory version.
Questions
Do I need to peel acorn squash?
No. The skin softens in the oven and can be eaten, and it holds the halves together while they roast.
Can I eat the seeds?
Yes, they can be rinsed, dried and roasted like pumpkin seeds, though the recipe here discards them.
How do I know when it is fully cooked?
A fork should slide through the flesh with no resistance. If it still feels firm, add 10 more minutes and check again.
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.
