need a healthy recipe for acorn squash

erinleigh76

Here's the thing, as far as I remember I'm not a big fan of squash. I like spaghetti squash but not others. I am wanting to re-introduce or even just try vegetables I havent tried before. This would be one of them...I'm branching out people...lol.

So does anyone have some healthy ways to prepare acorn squash? I really want to learn to like new things, although there are a ton of foods I do enjoy.

Thanks

eriemer

Cut in half, bake it wrapped in tin foil or in shallow baking pan with small amout of water to cover just the bottom of the pan 350 for about an hour (remember with all squash scoop out seeds prior to baking). Then I just add 1 tsp-1 tbsp of packed dark brown sugar and mash up. (a tsp of sugar is only 15 cal and a tblsp 45 cals) Sometimes a sprinkle of cinnamin or truvia. Adding a little sugar does not take away any nutritional value and only adds a minimal amount of calories.

erinleigh76

thanks, that's seems to be the most common answer I got at work last night too...lol. Was curious if there were any other recipes?

eriemer

I've tried things like nuts, cheese, stuffing, and various "fillings" baked into the squash but nothing comes close to keeping it low cal as a sprinkle of brown sugar. Plus it tastes good.

If your trying new and exciting veges, might I suggest some- kolarabi, beets (mmmm!), cabbage, sweet potatoes, fresh green beans, fresh sugar snap peas in the pod (omg! love those), fresh asparagus.

Try your farmers market, avoid superstores to get the best quality veges. Even some of the organic"veges might still be coated with wax or other "natural" preservatives, if not they might be covered in bacteria (like ecoli) from not having been chemically treated. So rinse well and buy local, if possible.

melaniecheeks

I have 2 favourite ways with squash:

1 - roasted roots. Chop peeled squash into chunks, add chunks of carrot, parsnip, sweet potato, and a red onion or 2 peeled and quartered. Place in a flat wide oven proof dish, and toss in oil. Ad seasoning - black pepper, herbs of your choice, whole garlic cloves. Roast at 200 degree centigrade for about an hour. If you like, add some cubes of haloumi cheese about 20 mins before end of cooking.

2 - soup. Soften an onion or shallot in some olive oil. Add some diced squash. Soften for about 5 mins. Ad some good stock - chicken or vegetable. Simmer for 30 mins until all the veg is soft. Blitz in a blender if you like a smooth soup. Serve topped with a blob of creme fraiche and some crisped parma ham.

pdworkman

- roast it
- stuff it
- stir fry
- top with tomato sauce, red pepper sauce, or a fruit based condiment
- with cinnamon and raisins for breakfast
- blend it into soup or pudding
- grill it
- curry
- peanut stew
- make into a pasta sauce
- pie filling
- hash or latkes
- gnocchi
- muffins
- raw in salads
- spiralize for pasta
- in a smoothie with pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon

Don't forget to roast the seeds!

chubby_checkers

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/southwestern_stuffed_acorn_squash.html



This is awesome. My recommendation is to scoop out the squash after baking and mix with the filling. Makes it a lot easier.

skwidlund

I like it mashed, but I cut it into wedges and roast with a little coconut oil, lime juice, salt, pepper and chili powder for a more savory side dish.

newcs

I either do as a PP said and roast it, then add brown sugar (or maple syrup) or I mash it and add a little butter. Use a high quality butter and you won't need much.

I also second the suggestion to try beets. I cut the top and tail off, stick them in a pot of water, boil til fork tender and then run cold water over them as I slip the peels off. If they're fresh (try to get them from a local farm if you can), they're sweet so I just cube them and eat them as a snack.

erinleigh76

I actually really love beats...it's the suash and turnip family I've had issues with since I was little.. I haven't had them in years and I'm hoping I have changed my taste on them. I think I will do just the simple "bake" first and then go from there. Seems it's just me here for dinner so I will only cook half

Thanks so much for the replies:)

erinleigh76

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/southwestern_stuffed_acorn_squash.html



This is awesome. My recommendation is to scoop out the squash after baking and mix with the filling. Makes it a lot easier.

wow that looks really yummy...that will be on the try list

Takarameri

I like to bake it and drizzle honey instead of using brown sugar.

Also, stuff it with italian sausage, red and green bell peppers, and onions adding a bit of cumin for flavor. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.

emilygh1974

bump :noway:

judychicken

Bump

midnight333

I'm the opposite of picasso when it comes to cooking. Bump for me:)