Also known as Cucurbita pepo, acorn squash is a variety of winter squash that is characterized by a yellow-orange flesh and sweet taste. Many people like to eat this vegetable because it is rich in manganese, magnesium, vitamin C and vitamin B. In addition to these, the vegetable also contains beta-carotene, potassium and dietary fiber. Knowing how to cook acorn squash is easy and enjoyable. By exploring the various recipes that use the vegetable as main ingredient, you will not have problems learning the different methods of cooking acorn squash.
Acorn Squash and Sweet Spicy Sausage
This special and scrumptious dish contains two acorn squash, two tablespoons olive oil, 1 ½ pounds turkey sausage and a cup of brown sugar. The first step in cooking the dish is to preheat the oven to 175 degrees Celsius or 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice the vegetable into two and put the halves on a baking dish. Be sure that the squash halves are faced down. Place the baking dish in the oven and cook the vegetable for 40 minutes to 50 minutes. Pour olive oil in a pan. Place the pan over medium heat. Fry the sausage for two minutes to four minutes. Slice the sausage into several portions.
Remove water from the baking dish and drizzle brown sugar into the vegetable’s cavity. Fill the halves of the squash with sliced sausages. Return the dish to the oven and cook for another 15 minutes. Serve immediately.
Baked Acorn Squash and Apricot Reserves
The essential ingredients used in this recipe include one acorn squash, ½ teaspoon pepper, ½ teaspoon salt, two teaspoons butter and three tablespoons apricot preserves. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius or 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut the squash into two and place on a baking dish facing down. Fill the baking dish with three cups of water. Top the vegetable with apricot preserves and butter. Place the baking dish inside the oven and broil for five minutes to seven minutes. Serve immediately.
Cheesy Acorn Squash
The dish contains one acorn squash, three tablespoons butter, a cup of diced celery, a cup of finely chopped onion, a cup of fresh mushrooms, 1/8 teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, a teaspoon of chopped parsley as well as ½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese.
Cut the squash into two and arrange in a microwaveable dish. Set the microwave to high and cook the squash for 20 minutes. Place a saucepan over medium heat. Add the butter, onion, celery and mushrooms. Cook for three minutes. Drizzle with pepper, salt and parsley. Spoon the mixture into the cavity of the squash. Place the dish in a baking pan and bake in an oven that was preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with cheese. Return to oven and wait for the cheese to melt.
