acorn squash It is a type of winter squash with dark green rind and golden orange flesh. It’s shaped like an acorn and could be just as tough! Previous civilizations were known to roast whole pumpkins in outdoor clay and brick ovens.
But don’t be intimidated by the tough exterior: we’ll share tips on how to cook squash with ease and use it in various dishes.
How to Choose and Prepare Acorn Squash
How can you tell when an acorn squash is ready to cook? When purchasing acorn squash, choose those that do not have soft spots or bruises. TO ripe pumpkin It is a deep green with a yellow spot.
Wash and dry the acorn squash as the outer skin will be edible. In fact, most recipes will ask you to keep the skin intact, so you don’t need to peel the squash (unless you really don’t like the skin).
If you want to eat it without skin, peel it. after you cook the pumpkin, it will be much easier!
How to Cut Acorn Squash
Be careful not to hurt yourself: Cutting an acorn squash is tricky because of its odd shape. Always use a sharp, sturdy knife.
- Check that the bottom is flat and stable. If the pumpkin doesn’t lay flat, cut the bottom of the pumpkin (where the bottom stem shows) to create a flat surface. Then, place it upright.
- Cut the pumpkin slowly. Place the knife on top of the pumpkin and move the blade from side to side, using your free palm to apply pressure to the top of the knife. It’s okay to pick up the knife and reposition it as needed, as you don’t want the blade to get stuck.
- Cut completely. If you’re almost done and the knife won’t move, use your hands to separate the squash; just be careful with your sword.
How to Roast Acorn Squash
Perfectly roasted acorn squash is soft, sweet, nutty, and so easy to make. Once you’ve cut the squash in half, use a spoon to remove the seeds. Then follow these steps:
- Preheat the oven at 400°F.
- Season your squash halves. For flavorful squash, lightly coat with nonstick cooking spray and then sprinkle with salt and pepper. For a sweet, caramelized pumpkin, lightly coat with nonstick cooking spray, then sprinkle with sugar or honey and a pinch of your favorite spice (e.g., cinnamon).
- Put the pumpkin in a baking dish. Place it flesh side down if you prefer a little char. If you’re worried about the squash drying out, keep it flesh side up and pour in a small layer of water to keep it moist while it bakes.
- Roast the squash for 45 to 60 minutes. If you can easily stick a fork into the pulp, it’s ready.
Can you cook acorn squash in the microwave?
Absolutely. The microwave reduces the cooking time of acorn squash. To make acorn squash in the microwave:
- Prick the pumpkin halves with a knife. a few times. This allows steam to escape when you microwave it.
- Season your squash halves. For flavorful squash, lightly coat with nonstick cooking spray and then sprinkle with salt and pepper. For a sweet, caramelized pumpkin, lightly coat with nonstick cooking spray, then sprinkle with sugar or honey and a pinch of your favorite spice (e.g., cinnamon).
- Place the squash in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a microwave-safe splatter lid or a plate.
- Microwave on high for 10 to 12 minutes. If you can easily stick a fork into the pulp, it’s ready.
Pumpkin cooked in a microwave loses the caramelized flavor of roasted pumpkin.
But you can add a little of that by lightly coating the squash with nonstick cooking spray, sprinkling it with a little coconut sugar, and roasting it on high for about 5 minutes.
Dishes that pair well with acorn squash
You can serve cooked acorn squash as a simple, stand-alone side dish. But, if you’re up for a culinary challenge, many dishes pair well with acorn squash:
- Vegetable soup: Acorn squash can be cut into pieces and added to vegetable soup if it is cooked for at least 30 minutes. You can also add cooked, cubed acorn squash to prepared vegetable soup. Or make a creamy soup by pureeing cooked acorn squash. You can use acorn squash interchangeably with butternut squash, which means our apple squash soup is ready for a makeover.
- Leaf salads: Cut cooked acorn squash into your salads for a much more satisfying flavor.
- Pasta sauce: Top your marinara or other pasta sauces with the sweetness of cooked acorn squash.
- Layered Casseroles: Cooked acorn squash is a complementary ingredient that you can easily add to a casserole before baking. You can also eliminate the pasta altogether by substituting sliced acorn squash, lightly baked or microwaved. Go gluten free!
Good news: acorn squash isn’t the only winter squash you can enjoy! Check out The Health Benefits of Pumpkin or FIXATE Spaghetti Squash Fritters.
