How to Cook Acorn Squash

Both savory and sweet, acorn squash is a delicious and versatile vegetable. It pairs extremely well with a slightly sweet ingredient, like brown sugar or molasses. Read this article to learn various ways to prepare this summer squash.

Ingredients

Baked Acorn Squash

  • 1 acorn squash
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons maple syrup

Servings: 2-4 | Total Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Microwaved Acorn Squash

  • 1 acorn squash
  • 4 tsp brown sugar
  • Butter

Servings: 2-3 | Total Time: 20 minutes

Whipped Acorn Squash

  • 4 cups cubed acorn squash, unpeeled
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Servings: 6 (sides) | Total Time: 30 minutes

Acorn Squash Soup with Apples and Horseradish

  • 3 acorn squash (about 3 pounds total)
  • 3 1/2 cups chicken stock
  • 1 1/2 cups apple cider
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated horseradish
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 Granny Smith apples (about 1 pound)
  • Juice of 1 lemon

Servings: 8 (sides) | Total Time: 75 minutes

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Baked Acorn Squash

  1. Image titled Cook Acorn Squash Step 1
    1
    Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C). On a cutting board, use a chef's knife to cut the acorn squash in half, from stem to end.
  2. Image titled Cook Acorn Squash Step 2
    2
    Scoop out the seeds and stringy portion from the center of each half. Place each half in a baking pan, skin-side down.
    • Butter the pan or use a non-stick spray to prevent the bottom of the squash from sticking to the pan.
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    3
    Spread 1/2 tablespoon (29.6 ml) of butter onto each half of the squash. Sprinkle the brown sugar and maple syrup evenly onto each half.
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    4
    Bake in the oven for about one hour. The squash should be very soft, and the tops browned. You can use a toothpick to check whether it is tender enough. Remove from the oven and allow to cool before serving.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Microwaved Acorn Squash

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    1
    Place whole squash on a plate and microwave for 4 minutes. Remove the plate, turn the squash over, and microwave for another 4 minutes.
  2. Image titled Cook Acorn Squash Step 6
    2
    Remove the squash from the microwave. Use a chef's knife to cut it in half, from stem to end. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and stringy portion in the center.
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    3
    Spread butter onto each half. Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of brown sugar onto each half.
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    4
    Microwave the squash, skin-side down, for another 3 minutes. Remove from the microwave. Allow to cool and then serve.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Whipped Acorn Squash

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    1
    Fill a large pot with water. Add the squash, and bring it to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer.
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    2
    Continue to cook for another 15 minutes. Squash should be soft when finished.
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    3
    Drain the pot. On a cutting board, cut the skin off of each cube of squash. Return to the pot.
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    4
    Add butter, sugar, and nutmeg. Use a fork to mash the squash, and then whip until smooth.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Acorn Squash Soup with Apples and Horseradish

  1. Image titled Cook Acorn Squash Step 13
    1
    Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (232 degrees C).
  2. Image titled Cook Acorn Squash Step 14
    2
    Cut the acorn squash in half lengthwise, scoop out seeds, and place on a baking tray. Make sure that the baking tray is adequately covered with cooking spray before placing squash, cut-side down, onto the tray.
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    3
    Bake squash for 45 minutes, or until tender and browning.
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    4
    In a large saucepan, combine chicken stock, apple cider, 1 teaspoon horseradish, salt, and pepper. Bring these ingredients to a simmer.
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    5
    Scoop flesh of squash from its skin and add to the chicken broth mixture.
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    6
    With a hand blender, puree the stock mixture. Make sure to break up any large squash pieces.
    • Alternately, if you don't have a hand blender, before adding squash to the chicken stock mixture, place squash in a food processor with 1 cup of the chicken stock. Puree until any large chunks are fully removed.
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    7
    Peel, core, and dice your apples into a 1/4" dice.
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    Add diced apples, lemon juice, and remaining horseradish into a small bowl. Combine thoroughly.
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    In a medium pan coated with olive oil spray, sauté diced apple mixture until golden brown. Remove from heat once a golden brown coat emerges.
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    10
    Serve acorn squash soup with apple dice as garnish on top.
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    Finished.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    How do I cook acorn squash?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Preheat your oven 350 degrees F and slice the squash lengthwise. Place the squash on a pan, flesh side down, and bake until it begins to soften, about 35 to 40 minutes.
  • Question
    Can acorn squash be fried?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can fry it. You can cut the acorn squash like French fries and add the seasoning that you like.
  • Question
    Can I cook acorn squash that got watery in the fridge?
    Narwhals_are_rad
    Narwhals_are_rad
    Community Answer
    Sure! Try to drain the water as best you can, but it shouldn't affect the flavor in any way.
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References

  1. http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/classic_baked_acorn_squash/
  2. http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1850,159183-239207,00.html
  3. http://easy.betterrecipes.com/whipped-acorn-squash.html
  4. http://www.marthastewart.com/338940/roasted-acorn-squash-soup-with-horseradi

About This Article

JoAnna Minneci
Co-authored by:
JoAnna Minneci
Professional Chef
This article was co-authored by JoAnna Minneci. JoAnna Minneci is a Professional Chef based in the Nashville, Tennessee area. With more than 18 years of experience, Chef JoAnna specializes in teaching others how to cook through private cooking lessons, team-building events, and wellness and nutrition classes. She has also appeared in numerous television shows on networks such as Bravo and Food Network. Chef JoAnna received Culinary Arts training from the Art Institute of California at Los Angeles. She is also certified in sanitation, nutrition, kitchen management, and cost control. This article has been viewed 141,114 times.
1 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 14
Updated: January 2, 2023
Views: 141,114
Categories: Squash
Article SummaryX

To cook squash, first rinse the squash under cool running water and pat it dry. Then, cut off the ends and discard them. Slice the rest of the squash into rings, and season the rings with salt and pepper. To roast the squash, preheat your oven to 300°F (205°C). Place the squash in a roasting pan, then drizzle with olive oil. Put the squash in the oven and let it cook for 25 to 35 minutes. It's done when it's easy to pierce with a fork. Season it more if you’d like, and enjoy! To sautee the squash, heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2-3 tablespoons (30-45mL) of olive oil, then add the squash to the skillet. Saute the squash until it begins browning and caramelizing. Remove the squash, let it cool, and enjoy. For tips on how to cook acorn squash in the microwave, read on!

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