Apple Pecan Acorn Squash Food

ACORN SQUASH WITH APPLE

Steps:

• To easily peel the acorn squash without losing a lot of vegetable, gently drop the squash in a large pot of boiling water, and boil for 15 minutes. Pour off the boiling water and fill with cold water and let sit 5 minutes to cool. When cool enough to handle, use a knife to slice off the peel on the ridges and use a teaspoon to dig out the peel in the valleys. Slice the squash in half and remove the seeds and stem. Then slice the halves into sections and finally cut into 1 inch chunks.
• Place the squash chunks into a large microwave-safe bowl along with the apples. Dot with pieces of butter. Sprinkle the brown sugar, walnuts, salt and cinnamon over the top. Cover with plastic wrap, and poke a few holes in it for ventilation.
• Cook in the microwave for 7 1/2 minutes on full power. Remove, uncover, and stir. Return to the microwave, and cook for another 7 1/2 minutes on full power, until tender. Serve hot.

APPLE-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Cut squash in half; discard seeds. Place squash cut side up in a 9x5-in. loaf pan. Fill centers with apple. Cover and bake at 400° for 30 minutes., In a microwave-safe bowl, combine honey and butter. Cover and microwave on high for 15-20 seconds or until butter is melted. Drizzle over squash. Sprinkle with cinnamon. , Bake, uncovered, 25-30 minutes longer or until tender.

APPLE PECAN ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Place squash quarters, cut sides up, in a baking pan; add ½ inch of hot water.
• Bake, covered at 400* until squash is fork-tender, about 30 minutes.
• Combine dried fruit, apple, pecans and spices; spoon into squash.
• Drizzle maple syrup over fruit and squash.
• Bake, loosely covered, until apples are tender, about 10 minutes longer.

ACORN SQUASH ROASTED WITH APPLESAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350f degrees.
• Cut squash in half, crossways, scrape out the seeds. Spray baking dish with veggie spray. Place skin side down, cut side up in baking dish.
• Put 1 teaspoon of butter in each half of squash, sprinkle each half with salt and freshly ground pepper.
• Fill each squash half with 1/2 cup applesauce, top with remaining butter and sprinkle again with salt and pepper.
• Pour water around squash.
• Roast on middle rack of oven for approximately 1 hour or until golden brown and caramalized.

APPLE-SPICE ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Cut squash in half; discard seeds. Place squash cut side down in a microwave-safe baking dish. Add 1/2 in. of water. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 10-13 minutes or until almost tender; drain., Combine the apple, raisins, cinnamon and nutmeg; spoon into squash cavities. Dot with butter. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 6-8 minutes or until squash and apples are tender. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

SAUSAGE, PECAN AND APPLE STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Arrange squash cut side up in a 9x13 pan and pierce all over the flesh, without breaking the rind, using a fork or butter knife. Combine the butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, garlic salt and pepper; brush over cut sides and cavity of squash. Spoon the rest of the butter mixture evenly into the cavities of the squash.
• Bake in a large roasting pan until squash is tender yet still holds its shape, about 1 hour.
• To make the stuffing, cook sausage over medium-high heat in a large pan until light brown, breaking up into small pieces. Set pork aside in a large bowl. If there are not enough drippings, add 1 tablespoons olive oil to the pan. Add onion, celery and pecans; saute 5-7 minutes or until softened. Stir in apple, sage, cayenne, salt and pepper and saute 3-4 more minutes, or until apple is softened.
• Add vegetable mixture to bowl with sausage and stir to combine. Pour any remaining butter mixture from squash cavities into the stuffing. Add parmesan and almond meal and stir again. Taste and season with sage, cayenne, salt or pepper if needed (depending on your sausage you may not want to add more seasoning).
• Stir in the egg and parsley.
• Fill the squash halves with stuffing; they should be slightly mounded. Sprinkle generously with parmesan. Put pan in oven, then pour 1 cup water carefully between the squash into the pan.
• Return to oven and bake, covered, for 20 to 25 more minutes, or until the top of the stuffing is lightly browned.
• Enjoy!