Chef John's Oven-Roasted Acorn Squash

Name: Chef John's Oven-Roasted Acorn Squash
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 whole Acorn Squash; 0.5 tsp Black Pepper; 1 tbsp Brown Sugar; 0.5 pinch Cayenne Pepper; 2 tbsp Maple Syrup; 2 tbsp Orange Juice; 0.5 tsp Salt; 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter

Side Dish 🥗 American Low-Sodium Heart-Healthy ❤️Gluten-Free Vegetarian 🥦Plant-Based 🌻Low-FODMAP Halal 🕌Kosher ✡️Pescatarian 🐟

Chef John's Oven-Roasted Acorn Squash balances caramelized sweetness with a gentle kick of spice. Maple, brown sugar, and butter melt into the tender orange-scented flesh, creating a glossy glaze with hints of cayenne and black pepper. It’s a cozy side for fall dinners, holiday tables, or any meal that calls for warm, comforting flavors.

Prep10 mins
Cook50 mins
Serves4
DifficultyEasy

1

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2

Score the squash by cutting 1/4-inch deep slashes into the flesh; set it in a baking dish. Brush with orange juice and season with salt.
3

Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, about 30 minutes.
4

Meanwhile, add butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, and black pepper to a small skillet over medium heat; simmer, stirring occasionally, until smooth and the sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes.
5

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