Squash Question - Really Dumb!!

[Jen]

I'm looking at the picture of the Maple-Glazed Acorn Squash Rings in the April issue (p. 208), and I have a really dumb question. I've never made squash, except for occasionally cutting it up into things. Would you eat just the flesh and leave the skin? Or is the skin edible too?

I told you it was dumb! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/redface.gif Thanks for helping me overcome my "fear of squash"!

BTW, has anyone made these? They sound good!

[jd]

Jen, good question. I would not eat the rind/skin, but have never thought about it before.

[woodsl]

I have tried the skin/rind on acorn squash, and unlike the skin yellow squash or zucchini, I did not think it was not good.

[Kristilyn1]

I like acorn squash a lot! It's great with cranberry sauce on it......but that's neither here nor there.

How exactly are some good ways to cook it? I've microwaved it whole and parts of it come out really hard. Should you cut it, dice it and steam it? I tried to "skin" it and that was a disaster.......

See, I've topped the "dumb" question already.

Kristi

[Sara Emily]

Krystilyn1, If you don't have the time (about an hour) to BAKE an acorn squash, my normal FAST method is to cut it in half, scoop out the seeds, and invert it into a shallow microwave safe container into which you've added about 1/2 inch of water. "Nuke it" at full power for 15 to 19 minutes, testing it with a knife for tenderness after the first 15 minutes. Then, just put in or on the halves your favorite accompaniments and it's pretty "FAST FOOD!" Bon Appetit!

[Kristilyn1]

AAAAHHHAA! That makes sense. Thanks for the tip!

Kristi

[emilycat]

I personally love the skin of acorn squash (or any other winter squash, for that matter http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif )

And it's such a pain in the behind to peel, so I always leave it on!

[lanie]

After baking inverted, it's really nice with a little butter, green onions and a blob of cheddar or any cheese and put back in the oven until the cheese melts. YUM!

[Linda in MO]

My mom always put butter and brown sugar in the middle. I think she added this after it was cooked? Some chopped pecans is also good added to this. Yum!

[Terrytx]

Jen, I made this recipe the other night, just as it was written. It was very good, but I did peel off the skin right before I ate it. It peels off very easy after it is cooked.

[Jen]

Thanks for all the ideas - I'll be sure to pick up some acorn squash today at the store. Now I want to try it out!

[noni liedtke]

I have never heard of eating the rind or skin of "winter squash" all the squash with hard skin. I think it would be impossible to chew or digest. Grandma Noni

[emilycat]

Actually, once it's cooked, the skin of winter squash is quite tasty; (or maybe I just have warped taste buds http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif ) it's very satisfying and flavorful. I never peel my squash, and my stomach's never had any complaints http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif