Help with acorn squash

[JulieM]

I just bought an acorn squash but I'm not sure what to do with it. I'm pretty sure I just cut it in half, scoop out the seeds, and bake it in the oven, flat side down. But I think there's more to it than that, and I don't know for how long or at what temp. Help somebody?

[amcleod]

Hi Julie. You're right, that is all you need to do. Or you could microwave it...that is what I usually do. Cut it in half & scoop out seeds. Get a glass/plasic container (flat-bottomed) and add an inch of water. Place squash in it, cut side down. Cover w/plastic wrap or waxed paper. Nuke on high for about 20 minutes. Done!

V good when sprinkled w/sea salt or a bit of brown sugar and butter.

enjoy!
ann

[beejayw1]

Well, I can't think of anything to add because amcleod said it all very well. But the 5-star recipe book, published in 1996, has a recipe for butternut bread that you could make using your squash (I tend to use butternut and acorn almost interchangeably).

If you don't have the cookbook, I'll be glad to post the recipe.

[JulieM]

Originally posted by beejayw1
Well, I can't think of anything to add because amcleod said it all very well. But the 5-star recipe book, published in 1996, has a recipe for butternut bread that you could make using your squash (I tend to use butternut and acorn almost interchangeably).

If you don't have the cookbook, I'll be glad to post the recipe.

Please do post the recipe! I made the squash with dinner and it was delicious. I made it just as Ann suggested, in the microwave, but instead of putting brown sugar on it after, I put some pure maple syrup in the water and it gave the squash a really nice flavor. I was surprised how sweet it was, even in the parts that didn't absorb any of the syrup. I will definitely make this often. In searching on the net for recipes, I see many for "stuffed acorn squash" with a variety of different stuffings. For tonight, though, I wanted to use the KISS principal.

[beejayw1]

I'll post it tonight (writing from work - shame on me!) under the title 'Butternut Bread'.

[Curleytop]

We like Butternut better, but the instructions are the same.
Cut in half, scoop out the seeds, place in microwave save pyrex dish (flat) with the cut side down. DO NOT ADD WATER. Cover with WAXED paper. Micro on H for 10 minutes, turn the halves over, and micro for another 10 minutes. Let cool a little. Then scoop out the cooked squash into a serving bowl. Mush with a fork or a potato masher. Add a little butter and s & p. Stir and serve. We have a little variation on this, that my son invented.
In a micro measuring cup (qt) dice a peeled apple. Add a little water, brown sugar and butter. Zap for a couple of minutes to cook the apple (not mush). Then add the apple to the cooked squash. DELICIOUS Very good with chicken!

[JulieM]

Curleytop, the butternut squash looks delicious too, especial with the added apple. I will keep these instructions and give it a try. My DH and I are trying to lose some weight and as a result have added lots more fruits and vegetables to our meals, while slimming down the portion sizes on meat and starch. So far it's working, and the added benefit has been eating a wider variety of fruits and veggies and learning new ways to cook them too. Squash is such a great addition to the meal because it's low calorie, high in fiber and nutrients and tastes so good!