But then all you have to do is scoop out the seeds, score the inside, dot with butter and brown sugar or maple syrup, and bake. To eat you can cut them in wedges, or keep them in halves and scoop out the flesh with a spoon.
How to Shop for Acorn Squash
Acorn squash are winter squash. When shopping for them, choose squash that feel heavy and have blemish-free and mold-free skin. They should also not have any soft spots but should be quite firm. They should be dark green and may have a patch of yellow or orange where they were on the ground before picking. Like other winter squash, the whole acorn squash store very well in the cold months, just keep them cool and dry; they’ll last a month or more. They’re a great source of iron, vitamin A (from all that beta-carotene filled orange flesh!), vitamin C, and riboflavin.
How to Cut Acorn Squash
Like most winter squashes, acorn squashes are dense and can be challenging to cut. Here are some tips to help:
Stabilize the squash: Knife skills 101, right? Make sure what you are cutting is stable on the table. If the stem is short, the most stable position for the squash is likely to prop it up with the stem end down. If the stem is too long, and you can’t easily remove it, lay the squash on its side and roll it until you find the most stable position for it.Use a sharp, heavy chef’s knife: A sharp knife will really help to get through the squash, a dull one is at risk of slipping while you cut. A heavy chef’s knife has the heft and length you need to cut through the squash.Rubber mallet: Have a rubber mallet? Using one to tap on the knife can help it go through if it gets stuck.Microwave: If you have a microwave, zap the squash for a minute (each) before cutting into it. That will soften the peel and flesh just enough to make it easier to cut through.
Try This Method With Other Winter Squash
Other winter squashes would work with this method, too. Try these varieties of squash baked in the same way (you may need to quarter large squash).
ButternutButtercupSweet dumplingKabochaPumpkin
More Favorite Squash Recipes
Stuffed Acorn Squash with Brown Rice and Mushrooms Butternut Squash with Walnuts and Vanilla Roasted Kabocha Squash Soup Stuffed Delicata Squash with Quinoa and Mushrooms Roasted Winter Squash with Cilantro Chimichurri
Use a sturdy metal spoon to scrape out the seeds and stringy bits inside each squash half, until the inside is smooth. Take a sharp paring knife and score the insides of the acorn squash halves in a cross-hatch pattern, about a half-inch deep cuts. Place the squash halves cut side up in a roasting pan. Pour 1/4 inch of water over the bottom of the pan so that the squash doesn’t burn or get dried out in the oven. Crumble 1 tablespoon brown sugar into the center of each half and drizzle with 1 teaspoon maple syrup. It’s hard to overcook squash, it just gets better with more caramelization. Don’t undercook it.
