How to Bake Acorn Squash

How to use an acorn squash to make a healthy and delicious side dish.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 acorn squash, cut in half, seeds removed
• 1/2 Tbsp butter, per half
• dash of salt per half
• 1 Tbsp brown sugar per half
• 1 tsp maple syrup, per half

1. Prepare Squash for Cooking
   Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Wash the outside of the squash. Cut squash in half and remove seeds with a large spoon.Take a knife and just make a few, shallow cuts in the squash (called "scoring"), so that the next ingredients can really soak in. Don't cut all the way through the skin, though. Place both halves in a small baking dish.

2. 
   Ready for the oven.

   Add the Flavoring Ingredients
   To each half add: 1/2 Tbsp butter, a dash of salt, 1 Tbsp brown sugar and 1 tsp of maple syrup. No need to stir or mix.

3. 
   Finished baked acorn squash

   Cook Acorn Squash
   Place the dish into the preheated oven, and cook for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. It might take a little more, or a little less, depending on the size of your acorn squash, and how your oven heats. When the squash is done, it will be very soft and a little browned. Better to be a tad overcooked than undercooked with this one! Makes 2 servings.

Tips & Warnings

• Great substitute for potatoes with a meal!
• Acorn squash contains magnesium, potassium, vitamins C and A, and calcium.
• An entire acorn squash only contains 172 calories!
• Alone, a whole acorn squash contains less than 1 mg of fat.
• Acorn squash is at it's peak in fall through winter, but can usually be found in the grocery store year round.
• Store an acorn squash in the refrigerator for up to a week when place in a paper bag.