Herb Roasted Acorn Squash With Queso Fresco And Pomegranate Food

ROASTED ACORN SQUASH WITH JALAPENO

Steps:

• Toss 1 diced seeded acorn squash, 1 sliced shallot, 1 sliced seeded red jalapeno and 4 thyme sprigs with olive oil on a rimmed baking sheet; season with 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt and some pepper. Roast at 425 degrees F, stirring occasionally, until the squash is browned and tender, about 25 minutes.

MAPLE-ROASTED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Place the squash, cut sides up, on a sheet pan. Place ½ tablespoon butter and ½ tablespoon maple syrup in the cavity of each squash. Brush the cut sides with olive oil and sprinkle the squash with 3 teaspoons kosher salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Roast for 40 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the squash, until tender when pierced with a small knife.
• Place the squash on a serving platter. If the halves are too large for one serving, cut each piece in half through the stem. Drizzle lightly with extra maple syrup, sprinkle with sea salt, and serve hot.
• Cooks' Note
• Acorn squash is hard to cut. To halve a whole squash, plunge the blade of a large chef's knife into the side of the squash as far as it will go. Holding the handle of the knife, bang the squash (with the knife in it) on the board until the blade cuts all the way through.

HERB ROASTED PARMESAN ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400℉.
• Cut acorn squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Then slice each half into ½-inch thick moon-shape slices.
• In a large bowl, combine the Parmesan, herbs, melted butter, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper; toss until well mixed.
• Spread the acorn squash pieces out onto one large or several medium size baking sheets covered with parchment paper. Using your hands, gently press the Parmesan mixture onto one side of each squash piece for maximum coverage.
• Bake until squash is tender and the Parmesan topping is crispy and slightly browned, about 25 minutes. If desired, garnish with additional parmesan cheese and herbs.

ROASTED ACORN SQUASH AND GARLIC MASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place the squash, cut sides down, in a glass baking dish. Place the baking dish into the oven and pour enough water into the baking sheet to fill halfway up the sides (this will help steam the squash so it doesn't dry out, making the flesh easier to mash). Place the foil-wrapped garlic directly on an oven rack. Roast the garlic and squash until very tender, about 1 hour. Cool slightly.
• Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a heavy, small skillet over medium-high heat. Add the leeks and apple and saute until crisp tender, about 6 minutes. Season with salt, to taste.
• Scoop the cooled acorn squash flesh into a large bowl. Using a potato masher, mash the flesh until smooth. Unwrap the garlic and squeeze the roasted garlic flesh into the squash puree. Add the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter and mash. Stir in the thyme and season with salt, to taste. Place the mash in serving bowl and top with apple and leek saute.

SWEET ROASTED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Assemble acorn squash on a baking sheet. Place 1 tablespoon of butter and brown sugar in each half. Add 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg in each and season with salt. Bake until golden and tender, about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, basting flesh of squash several times.
• Twenty minutes before the squash is done, sprinkle edges with raw sugar. Serve squash warm.