Monday, November 30, 2009

Acorn squash with apple stuffing

I really love squash. So when I was looking for something to replace sweet potatoes at our Thanksgiving table this year, I decided to go with acorn squash. It's not that I don't like sweet potatoes, I do. But the thing about Thanksgiving is this: the turkey is a given. The stuffing, a must-have. So when it comes to the other sides, I like to change things around from year to year.

This recipe was really easy to execute and it's certainly one that can be improvised depending on what you have on hand. It was delicious with the turkey, but I also think it would pair nicely with pork. Here's what you need to get started:

2 acorn squash
2-3 apples, chopped
approximately 3-4 tablespoons of brown sugar (depends how sweet you want it)
dash of cinammon
dash of nutmeg
small handful of sliced almonds (or nuts of your choice)
butter

Wash the squash and then cut each in half, lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and fibers.



Place the squash face down in a baking dish that has about an inch of water in the bottom. Bake at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes.



While the squash is baking, wash and chop the apples. Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and nuts. Set aside.



When the squash come out of the oven, turn them over and fill with the apple mixture. Top each with a pat (or two!) of butter and return to the oven for another 30 minutes.


Enjoy!


7 comments:

  1. Yum! I was just thinking about what to make for a side dish with our pork roast tonight and happen to have two acorn squash on hand. This will be perfect (minus the nuts b/c of allergies). And I'm ALL about the easy these days, as you know!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This sounds very good. Both of my kids like squash and apples are a favorite, so... I think I'll be giving this a try.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Am I the only one who can never cut through an acorn squash (or pretty much any squash) without practically severing a digit? Do you microwave them a bit first to make them cuttable? Or is it just that my knives are cheap and need sharpening?

    ReplyDelete
  4. TC, my best guess is that your knives are not up to the task. I don't think you have to spend a lot of money to get good knives--there are so many great options in the stores at every price. That said, it could be that you have run into uncut-able squash. It's happened to me occasionally, but not often. I don't know if the microwave is the answer, I've never tried it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. If you put it in oven or microwave make sure you pierce it first. Not a lot of pierces but some. It can be done... I now have a fantstic knife and I think I have a double but do I dare send it with all the things that I have to send to you?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow, that looks good! Thanks for the recipe. I am making this Monday night when my mom comes over for dinner--she loves acorn squash.

    ReplyDelete

Printfriendly