Baked Acorn Squash Wedges With Balsamic Vinegar And Fried Sage Leaves Food

ROASTED ACORN SQUASH WEDGES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Halve the squash and scoop out and discard the seeds and strings. Cut the halves into 1-inch-thick wedges.
• Arrange the squash wedges on a baking sheet, brush them with butter and sprinkle with the thyme, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Roast the squash wedges until they are brown and tender, about 35 minutes.
• Transfer the squash wedges to a serving platter, garnish with thyme sprigs and serve warm or at room temperature.

BAKED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place squash, flesh side down in a baking dish and fill with 1/2-inch of water. Bake for one hour or until tender. Scoop out squash flesh to a bowl. Mash squash with butter, sugar and salt and pepper. Serve with extra butter.

BALSAMIC ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Halve, seed and thinly slice 1 large acorn squash; toss with 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper. Divide between 2 baking sheets and roast at 425 degrees F until browned and tender, about 20 minutes. Drizzle with aged balsamic vinegar and top with chopped toasted almonds and grated ricotta salata.

PERFECT ROASTED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean-up.
• To prepare the squash, use a sharp chef's knife to slice through it from the tip to the stem. I find it easiest to pierce the squash in the center along a depression line, then cut through the tip, and finish by slicing through the top portion just next to the stem. Use a large spoon to scoop out the seeds and stringy bits inside, and discard those pieces.
• Place the squash halves cut side up on the parchment-lined pan. Drizzle the olive oil over the squash, and sprinkle with the salt. Rub the oil into the cut sides of the squash, then turn them over so the cut sides are against the pan.
• Bake until the squash flesh is very easily pierced through by a fork, about 30 to 45 minutes depending on the size of your squash. Add any desired toppings, and serve warm.

SWEET ROASTED ROSEMARY ACORN SQUASH WEDGES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Cut the acorn squash in half from top to bottom using a sharp knife. Use a spoon to scrape out the stuff inside. Cut each half into 4 equal wedges, and then place the wedges, skin-side down, in a baking dish. Sprinkle lightly with salt.
• Combine the butter, brown sugar, salt, rosemary and chili powder in a bowl and mix into a paste. Smear the paste all over the squash.
• Roast in the oven for 20 minutes. Then baste with the butter mixture from the bottom of the pan and return to the oven for another 20 minutes.
• Serve in the baking dish, drizzling more sauce at the end. Yummy!

ROASTED ACORN SQUASH AGRODOLCE

Steps:

• For the fried sage leaves: Heat a small saucepan with 1 inch oil over medium-high heat. Test the oil by touching the tip of a sage leaf in the oil; if it bubbles, the oil is ready for frying. Fry the leaves, 3 to 4 at a time, until the bubbles subside and the leaves become crisp. Drain on a paper-towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt.
• For the squash: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Using a chef's knife, cut off a small amount off the top and bottom of each squash. Set the squash, cut-side down, and cut in half. Using a large spoon, scoop out and discard the seeds. Cut each half into 5 wedges and place them in a large bowl. Add the olive oil, cayenne, cinnamon and 1 teaspoon salt. Toss with your hands to coat well, then transfer the squash to a rimmed baking sheet. Bake, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and fork tender, 35 minutes.
• Place the butter in a small skillet and melt over medium heat until the foam subsides and the solids begin to smell nutty and turn brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Allow the butter to cool for 2 minutes. In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar and sugar until the sugar is dissolved, then whisk in the brown butter, using a rubber spatula to get all the brown bits out of the pan. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Lay the squash on a serving platter and spoon the vinaigrette over. Dollop with the mascarpone and sprinkle with the almonds and fried sage.