Chef John's Baked Acorn Squash

european french main drink sweet spicy sour savory medium fast

Prep

15 min

Cook

61 min

Total

76 min

Ingredients (8)

2 acorn squash, cut in half lengthwise and seeded g

2 tablespoons fresh orange juice g

salt to taste g

2 tablespoons unsalted butter g

2 tablespoons maple syrup g

1 tablespoon brown sugar g

1 pinch cayenne pepper g

ground black pepper to taste g

Nutrition

kcal

fat

carbs

protein

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Score squash by making ¼-inch deep slashes into flesh; place in a baking dish. Brush with orange juice; season with salt.

Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, and black pepper in a small skillet over medium heat; simmer until smooth and sugar has dissolved, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove squash from oven; discard any liquid that may have collected in squash. Brush maple syrup glaze over squash halves; return to oven. Bake until tender, about 20 minutes more. Spoon any glaze collected at the bottom of squash over edges of squash. Season with salt.