Fruited Baked Squash Food

NUT- AND FRUIT-FILLED SQUASH

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Cut squash into fourths; remove seeds and fibers. Place squash, cut sides up, in ungreased rectangular baking dish, 13x9x2 inches.
• Sprinkle salt over squash. Pour water into baking dish until 1/4 inch deep. Cover and bake 40 to 50 minutes or until tender.
• Mix butter, cereal and orange peel; spoon into squash.

SWEET BUTTERNUT SQUASH N' FRUIT

Steps:

• Cut the squash in half the long way and remove the seeds/guts. Rub the exposed flesh with a little olive oil. Place on a cookie sheet cut-side-up and bake at 350 until softened, usually between 30 and 60 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.
• When the squash is cool enough to handle, there are two ways to go. If you are careful and do not damage the outer skin of the squash halves, you may use a squash half as a serving bowl, which looks pretty nifty. You should be able to use a melon baller to scoop out the cooked squash flesh. If you're not worried about saving the shell, just slice off the skin to get at the flesh. Cut the flesh into bite-sized pieces.
• Cut the apples into bite-sized chunks and combine with the squash pieces. (You need not skin the apples) Add the raisins and craisins. Melt the butter in a separate container and mix the remaining ingredients into the butter. Dump the liquid over the squash/apple mix and stir well to coat.
• Put into a pie pan or small casserole dish (or empty squash shell) and pop back into the oven for 10 or 15 minutes, just long enough to slightly soften the apples and allow the butter to soak through. Serve warm.

BAKED BROWN SUGAR SQUASH

Steps:

• Place squash in 11x7-inch baking dish.
• Dot 1 tbsp.
• butter in each squash half.
• Evenly sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon in squash halves.
• Add enough water to baking dish to just cover the bottom of the pan; cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake at 350º for 1 hour, until squash is tender.
• Serve with additional brown sugar if desired.

DELICATA SQUASH STUFFED WITH DRIED FRUIT AND NUTS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place squash cut side down on a baking pan with sides. Add 1/2 inch water to pan.
• Bake for 30 minutes or until squash is slightly soft. Remove squash from oven. Pour water off pan and carefully turn over so cut side is up.
• Combine all ingredients for stuffing mixture.
• Place mixture into the 4 squash cavities. Return to oven, continue baking for 30 minutes or until squash is soft and topping is browned.
• Serve immediately.

FRUITY STUFFED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Soak the apricots and raisens in the juice overnight. If you forget to do this, no biggie. See below.
• Cut your squash in half, and scoop out the seeds/pulp. Place in a glass pan, cut-side down, and stab each half a few times like you would a potato. Pour on about 1 cm of water, and bake in a 325 F oven about 50 minute (medium squash) or 1 hr and 15 min (large squash- times are approximate guesses). Test with a long knife. You know it's done when it's quite soft all through, but not actually mushy.
• If you didn't soak the fruit, place it with juice in a small pot, bring to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Let sit, covered, while squash bakes.
• 5 minute before the squash is done, transfer the fruit mixture to a food processor or mini-chopper if you have one. Pulse a few times, then add the seeds and blend till they're slightly chopped. It should be like a thick, chunky paste.
• Turn squash halves rightside up, scoop the fruit mix in the hollow part, and cover the pan with foil or a glass lid. Bake 10-15 minutes more.
• To serve, divide squash among plates and give each a share of the fruity stuff. Mash it up together, it's really good that way!

FRUIT-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Cut squash in half; discard seeds.
• Place squash cut side down in an ungreased 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Add 1 inch of hot water to the dish.
• Bake, uncovered, at 350* for 30 minutes. Drain water from pan; turn squash cut side up.
• Sprinkle with salt.
• Combine the remaining ingredients; spoon into squash. Bake 40-50 minutes longer or until squash is tender.