Creamy Baked Acorn Squash Food

ACORN SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cut the squash in half on the equator and remove the seeds with a spoon. Cut a flat spot on each end so the squash will sit flat. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and arrange the squash, cut side up. To 3 of the squash halves, add a peeled shallot and to the other 3 add 2 garlic cloves on each. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and season with 1 tablespoon each of the salt and freshly cracked pepper. Roast in the hot oven until very tender and starting to caramelize and collapse, approximately 1 hour. Remove from oven and when cool enough to handle, remove the squash from the skin. Reserve the roasted shallots and garlic with the squash. Can be done ahead.
• In a large Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat and when the butter is starting to foam, add the raw diced shallots and saute until they are starting to caramelize, about 5 to 6 minutes. Deglaze with 1/2 cup of the chicken stock and stir to remove any fond. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add in the reserved squash, roasted shallots and garlic and then the remaining chicken stock. Stir to combine, then puree with a stick blender. The mixture will be very thick. Add in the cayenne, white pepper and the herbs. Stir in the cream and Worcestershire sauce and heat slowly over medium-low heat. When the mixture comes to a slow simmer, mix again with the stick blender and stir in 1/4 cup of the Parmesan and turn heat to low. Serve with a fresh crack of black pepper, a nice drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a light sprinkle of remaining Parmesan. Ladle into soup bowls and serve.

CREAMY BAKED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place squash halves cut side up on a rimmed baking sheet and season with salt and pepper. Divide cream and thyme among halves.
• Bake until squash is tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife, 35 to 40 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan and bake until cheese is melted and golden, 10 to 15 minutes more.

BAKED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place squash in a shallow baking pan, cut side down.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until tender.
• Turn cut side up; season with salt and pepper, dot with butter and sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon.
• Bake for 20 minutes more.

CREAMY PARMESAN BAKED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place squash cut side up on a large, rimmed baking sheet and season with salt and pepper.
• Divide cream and thyme evenly among squash halves.
• Bake until squash is tender when pierced with a sharp knife, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
• Bake an additional 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and golden.

BAKED ACORN SQUASH & SOUR CREAM

Steps:

• Halve squash and scoop out seeds and pith.
• Place squash cut side down on greased jelly roll pan. Pierce squash with fork several times.
• Bake at 350˚ for 1 hour. Done when fork easily pierces.
• Remove squash from oven and allow to cool down.
• Remove squash from shell into bowl.
• Saute onion in butter.
• Combine squash, onion, and sour cream until uniform.
• May be stored in refrigerator and warmed in 250 oven before serving.

CREAM OF ACORN SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat.
• Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes- do not brown.
• Add squash, chicken stock and apple cider and simmer until squash is tender, about 20 minutes.
• Puree mixture in processor or blender; strain into another saucepan and place over medium heat.
• Stir in cream and heat through;do not boil.
• Add curry powder and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with minced parsley and serve.

ACORN SQUASH PUREE

Steps:

• Cut squash in half; discard seeds. Place squash cut side down in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan; add 1/2 in. of hot water. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35 minutes. Drain water from pan; turn squash cut side up. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until tender. Cool slightly., Carefully scoop out squash; add to food processor. Add the cream cheese, milk, butter, onion, chives and basil; cover and process until blended. , Transfer to a 2-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray; sprinkle with pecans. Cover and bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.

CREAMY ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil; place squash cut-side down onto foil.
• Bake squash in preheated oven until tender when pierced with a fork, about 30 minutes. Remove from oven, and set aside to cool until cool enough to handle, about 15 minutes.
• Scoop the cooked squash into the bowl of an electric mixer. Add the cream cheese, then sprinkle with cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar substitute. Beat until smooth, then scoop the squash mixture into a 2 quart baking dish and sprinkle with chopped walnuts.
• Return the squash to the preheated oven, and bake until hot, about 20 minutes.

MICROWAVE ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Prick all over the insides of the squash halves with a fork, brush with butter, and sprinkle with brown sugar. Place squash halves, cut sides-up, into a large, microwave-safe dish.
• Microwave on high power until flesh pierces easily with a fork, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.