Spiced Baked Acorn Squash

Warm your kitchen with the delightful aroma of Spiced Baked Acorn Squash, a cozy and flavorful side dish that's perfect for fall gatherings or weeknight dinners. This recipe takes tender roasted acorn squash halves and enhances them with a luscious blend of brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, creating a harmonious balance of sweet and earthy flavors. A drizzle of optional maple syrup adds a touch of indulgence, while butter melts into the squash to elevate its creamy texture. With just 10 minutes of prep time and a bake-until-tender method, this oven-roasted dish is an effortless way to capture the essence of autumn on your plate. Serve it warm alongside roasted meats or enjoy it as a hearty vegetarian delight!

Nutriscore Rating: 87/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 whole acorn squash
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.25 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 0.25 teaspoons ground cloves
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.

Step 2

Carefully cut each acorn squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp with a spoon.

Step 3

Brush the cut sides of the squash with olive oil and place them cut-side down on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 4

Roast the squash in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 5

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and black pepper.

Step 6

After 20 minutes, remove the squash from the oven and flip the halves cut-side up using tongs or a spatula.

Step 7

Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over the squash halves. Place 1/2 tablespoon of butter in the hollow of each squash half.

Step 8

Optional: Drizzle each squash half with a small amount of maple syrup for added sweetness.

Step 9

Return the squash to the oven and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the flesh is tender and easily pierced with a fork.

Step 10

Remove the squash from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm, either as a side dish or on its own.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1789.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1330.0

Total Fat 29.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1254.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 281.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 77.2g	0%
Total Sugars 25.6g
Protein 19.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 814.0mg	0%
Iron 10.9mg	0%
Potassium 7605.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 18.2%

Protein: 5.3%

Carbs: 76.5%