Description
This Simple Maple Roasted Acorn Squash recipe offers a delightful balance of natural sweetness and warm spices, perfect for an easy, healthy side dish. Roasted to tender perfection and glazed with maple syrup and a hint of cinnamon, it’s a comforting fall favorite that requires minimal prep and ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Acorn Squash
- 2 medium Acorn Squash (Firm and free of blemishes)
Glaze and Seasoning
- 3 tablespoons Maple Syrup (Use pure maple syrup for best flavor)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (Extra virgin olive oil recommended)
- 1 teaspoon Salt (Enhances flavor)
- 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper (Freshly ground for best taste)
- 0.25 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon (Optional for added warmth)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for roasting the squash evenly.
- Clean the Squash: Wash the acorn squash under cold running water and pat dry thoroughly to remove any dirt.
- Slice Squash: Slice each acorn squash in half from stem to tip carefully using a sharp knife.
- Remove Seeds: Scoop out the seeds and stringy insides with a spoon to create hollow cavities ready for glazing.
- Arrange Squash: Place the squash halves cut-side up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Make Glaze: Mix together olive oil, maple syrup, salt, pepper, and cinnamon in a small bowl to create the flavorful glaze.
- Apply Glaze: Brush or drizzle the maple mixture evenly over the cut sides of the acorn squash.
- Flip Squash: Flip the squash halves cut-side down on the baking sheet to allow caramelization underneath.
- Roast First Side: Roast the squash for about 25 to 30 minutes until the flesh starts to become tender.
- Baste and Flip Back: Flip the squash back to cut-side up, baste with any remaining maple mixture for added flavor.
- Final Roast: Return to the oven and roast for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the squash is fully tender and caramelized.
- Cool Slightly: Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly to make handling easier and flavors to settle.
- Serve: Serve warm, drizzled with extra maple syrup if desired for extra sweetness and shine.
Notes
- For best flavor, use pure maple syrup instead of pancake syrup or artificial sweeteners.
- Ground cinnamon is optional but adds a lovely depth and warmth to the dish.
- You can add a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary before roasting for a savory twist.
- For a vegan option, ensure your maple syrup and olive oil are certified vegan.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently in the oven or microwave.