Vacation Acorn Squash Recipe - Oh Candy Basil

This acorn squash recipe is a candy and savory vacation aspect dish that includes roasted acorn squash. Toss with herbs and spices, then roast till tender. End the dish with pomegranate seeds, feta cheese, and toasted pumpkin seeds. Season with further virgin olive oil and maple syrup.

Cade says that’s the finest aspect dish I’ve ever made. And that’s saying one thing, as a result of now we have some nice ones right here on the weblog (I’m considering of you, selfmade focaccia and gruyere candy potato stacks!)! This acorn squash recipe is each Thanksgiving and Christmas worthy! You’re going to LOVE it!

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Earlier than You Start…

You’ll wish to begin by toasting the pepitas (pumpkin seeds)! This provides such a scrumptious nutty taste and crunchy texture.

Components for Vacation Acorn Squash

Okay, this substances record goes to look a bit daunting at first look, however don’t run away! Most of the substances are seasonings that you just’ll have already got. Here’s what you will have:

For the Pepitas

Pumpkin Seeds: often known as pepitas
Olive Oil: helps toast the pumpkin seeds
Seasonings: Salt, Pepper, Smoked Paprika, and Chili Powder

For the Squash

Acorn Squash: In case you’re not a fan of acorn squash, you need to use butternut or honeynut.
Pure Maple Syrup: You need the true deal right here, no imitation pancake syrup!
Orange: We’ll use the juice and zest for a pop of contemporary citrus taste.
Butter: helps the acorn roast and get golden and caramelized
Seasonings: Floor Cinnamon, Contemporary Ginger, Smoked Paprika, and Cardamom Powder

Pomegranate: You may extract the seeds your self from a pomegranate (see part beneath) or simply purchase pomegranate seeds.
Brown Sugar: provides sweetness and wealthy taste
Further-Virgin Olive Oil: used to toast and crisp the sage leaves
Sage Leaves: provides taste and crunch
Thyme: used as garnish for the squash and provides contemporary herby taste
Kosher Salt: provides taste
Feta: You should use goat cheese as an alternative or omit the cheese in order for you.

The measurements for all of the substances might be discovered within the recipe card on the finish of this submit.

What are Pomegranate Arils?

Pomegranate arils are the clear purple seed pod within the pomegranate. They’re tart and provide you with a pleasant pop of juice and taste.

The best way to Seed a Pomegranate

That is the simplest solution to extract the seeds from a pomegranate:

Roll the fruit first to loosen the seeds.
Rating across the center and tear it open into halves.
- PRO TIP: You may also rating 4 strains from high to backside to quarter the pomegranate.
Maintain every half over a bowl, seeds dealing with down and faucet the pores and skin with a picket spoon, squeezing a bit to launch the seeds.

The best way to Make Vacation Acorn Squash

I’m going to stroll you thru the step-by-step directions for making every a part of this sensational vacation aspect dish. It’s so easy however goes to wow all of your vacation friends! Listed below are the essential steps:

Toast: Your first step will probably be to toast the pumpkin seeds on a baking sheet within the oven.
Lower: Slice and prep the acorn squash for roasting.
Sauce: Make the sauce for the acorn squash and spoon it excessive of the squash then sprinkle the squash with extra brown sugar.
Roast: Prepare dinner the squash and flip the slices midway by way of roasting.
Fry: Whereas the squash is roasting, fry the sage leaves till crispy.
Assemble: When the squash is completed, transfer it to a serving plate and high with the toasted pumpkin seeds, crispy sage, pomegranate seeds, feta and orange zest.
Serve: Drizzle the sauce leftover on the roasting pan excessive of the squash, sprinkle with thyme and serve.

The entire directions in full element might be discovered within the recipe card on the finish of the submit. You may also print or save the recipe there.

The best way to Lower an Acorn Squash

Chopping an acorn squash, or any form of squash, generally is a little difficult. They’re spherical and really onerous. Let’s lower the acorn squash in a secure manner!

Make certain you’re utilizing a pointy knife. Lay the squash on its aspect on a chopping board and place the knife in one of many furrows (the dip between two of the bumps). Holding your finger suggestions tucked beneath whereas nonetheless holding the squash, firmly push down on the knife. You’ll really feel the knife push by way of to the hole middle.

Slide the knife across the tip of the squash. Don’t attempt to lower by way of the stem. Upon getting lower all the way in which across the acorn squash, set the knife down and pry open the squash along with your fingertips. The stem will both crack or break free to at least one aspect of the squash.

Scoop out the seeds inside with a spoon after which lay the squash flat (flesh) aspect down and lower into 1/2 inch slices.

Can You Eat the Pores and skin?

Sure, you possibly can eat the pores and skin of acorn squash. Because the slices of squash roast, the pores and skin turns into very tender and simply sliced and eaten with the squash.

The best way to Make Crispy Fried Sage Leaves

Warmth a bit olive oil in a small skillet over medium excessive warmth after which add the entire sage leaves. Flip them till they’re crispy after which take away them to a plate lined with paper towels. Maintain an in depth eye on it! It’ll crisp up rapidly and also you don’t need it to burn!

Storing Acorn Squash

Vacation acorn squash needs to be saved in an hermetic container within the fridge. It’ll hold for as much as 5 days. You may reheat it within the microwave or within the oven at 300 levels till warmed by way of.

Able to degree up your vacation aspect dishes this 12 months?!? When you do that roasted vacation acorn squash recipe, it’s going to grow to be an everyday for all of your future vacation feasts! The flavors are festive and the colours are good for each Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Servings: 8

Prep Time: quarter-hour minutes

Prepare dinner Time: 20 minutes minutes

Whole Time: 35 minutes minutes

Description

This acorn squash recipe is a candy and savory vacation aspect dish that includes roasted acorn squash tossed with herbs and spices, then roasted till tender. End the dish with pomegranate seeds, feta cheese, and toasted pumpkin seeds.

For the Squash

2 Acorn Squash , halved, seeds eliminated, and lower into 1/2 inch slices
3 Tablespoons Pure Maple Syrup
1 Orange, for juice and zest
6 Tablespoons Butter
1 1/2 teaspoons Floor Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Contemporary Ginger , finely grated, peeled
1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
1/4 teaspoon Cardamom Powder
Arils (seeds), from 1 pomegranate
3 Tablespoons Brown Sugar, divided
4-6 Sage Leaves
1 1/2 Tablespoons Further-Virgin Olive Oil
3 Sprigs Thyme, plus thyme leaves for garnish
Kosher Salt
Feta , or goat cheese

Prepare dinner ModePrevent your display from going darkish

For the Pumpkin Seeds

Preheat the oven to 400 levels. Place the pumpkin seeds in a small bowl and drizzle with the olive oil. Add the salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and the pinch of chili powder (if utilizing) and toss to coat.

4 Tablespoons Pumpkin Seeds, 1 teaspoon Olive Oil, 1/2 teaspoon Salt, 1/2 teaspoon Pepper, 1/2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika, Pinch Chili Powder
Unfold on a baking pan and bake for 3 to five minutes till simply barely toasted. Take away from oven and put aside.

For the Squash

Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
Lower the squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Lower the squash into half inch slices. Lay the squash slices on the cookie sheet.

2 Acorn Squash
Soften the butter in a small bowl, add 1 Tablespoon brown sugar, maple syrup, juice from the orange, cinnamon, ginger, smoked paprika, and cardamom. Stir to mix and spoon over the squash slices.

3 Tablespoons Pure Maple Syrup, 1 Orange, 6 Tablespoons Butter, 1 1/2 teaspoons Floor Cinnamon, 1 teaspoon Contemporary Ginger, 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika, 3 Tablespoons Brown Sugar, 1/4 teaspoon Cardamom Powder
Sprinkle the remaining 2 Tablespoons of brown sugar excessive.

3 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
Place the pan within the oven and roast for 12 to fifteen minutes, till fork tender. Flip them half manner by way of roasting.
In the meantime, warmth a small skillet over medium excessive warmth with a touch of olive oil. Add the sage leaves and toss, till simply barely toasted. Watch fastidiously as they will burn rapidly. Take away to a paper towel lined plate.

4-6 Sage Leaves, 1 1/2 Tablespoons Further-Virgin Olive Oil
When the squash is completed, place the squash on a serving plate. Drain the surplus “sauce” left behind on the baking sheet in a small dish. Sprinkle with the toasted pumpkin seeds, pomegranate arils, toasted sage leaves, orange zest, cheese and little salt and pepper.

1 Orange, Arils (seeds), Kosher Salt, Feta
Drizzle with the reserved “sauce” and some thyme leaves and serve. (See notice)

3 Sprigs Thyme

In case you don’t wish to use the “sauce”, drizzle the squash with a bit olive oil and maple syrup earlier than serving.

Serving: 0.25squashCalories: 222kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 3gFat: 14gSaturated Fats: 6gPolyunsaturated Fats: 2gMonounsaturated Fats: 5gTrans Fats: 0.3gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 219mgPotassium: 485mgFiber: 3gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 900IUVitamin C: 21mgCalcium: 66mgIron: 1mg

Creator: Candy Basil

Course: 200+ Simple Aspect Dish Recipes Each Mother Wants