Acorn Squash With Brown Sugar Cooks Illustrated Recipe 385

ROASTED ACORN SQUASH WITH BROWN SUGAR

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Slice acorn squash into halves, removing insides and seeds. Spread butter on the inside and sprinkle brown sugar over the butter. Transfer to a baking sheet.
• Roast in the preheated oven until tender, about 30 minutes. Remove, slice into thirds, and serve.

BAKED ACORN SQUASH WITH BROWN SUGAR

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Generously butter a rimmed baking sheet.
• Halve squash crosswise. Scoop out seeds; discard. Slice a small piece off bottom of each squash half just enough to level.
• Set squash halves, scooped sides down, on prepared sheet. Bake until golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Turn squash; prick insides all over with a fork. Divide 2 tablespoons butter and sugar among halves; season with salt and pepper. Continue to bake until flesh is easily pierced with the tip of a paring knife, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve warm.

MALLOW-PECAN ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Place squash cut side up in an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. In a bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, pecans, brown sugar, 2 tablespoons butter and nutmeg. Spoon into squash. Brush edges of squash with remaining butter. Cover and bake at 400° for 55-60 minutes or until squash is tender. Sprinkle with marshmallows. Bake, uncovered, for 3-5 minutes or until golden brown.

BAKED ACORN SQUASH WITH BUTTER AND BROWN SUGAR

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375º
• Cut squash in half carefully, from end to end, with a sharp knife. Scoop out seeds and stringy stuff with a spoon. Place cut-side down in baking dish and prick the skin a few times with the knife tip. Add about a ¼-inch of water to the dish so the squash doesn't burn or dry out. Bake in oven for 40 - 45 minutes.
• Turn squash over and add 1 tablespoon butter to each cavity, a sprinkle of salt, and then 1 heaping tablespoon of brown sugar. Return to oven and bake another 10- 15 minutes, adding more water if necessary.
• The squash will be very soft and tender when done, remove from oven and swirl the butter mixture around the sides and tops of the squash. Scoop out flesh and serve, make sure to get all the buttery sugar glaze! Enjoy!

ACORN SQUASH WITH BROWN SUGAR - COOK'S ILLUSTRATED RECIPE - (3.8/5)

Steps:

• ACORN SQUASH WITH BROWN SUGAR Serves 4. Published September 1, 2004. Squash smaller than 1 1/2 pounds will likely cook a little faster than the recipe indicates, so begin checking for doneness a few minutes early. Conversely, larger squash will take slightly longer to cook. However, keep in mind that the cooking time is largely dependent on the microwave. If microwaving the squash in Pyrex, the manufacturer recommends adding water to the dish (or bowl) prior to cooking. To avoid a steam burn when uncovering the cooked squash, peel back the plastic wrap very carefully, starting from the side that is farthest away from you. INSTRUCTIONS 1. Sprinkle squash halves with salt and place halves cut-sides down in 13- by 9-inch microwave-safe baking dish or arrange halves in large (about 4-quart) microwave-safe bowl so that cut sides face out (see photo). If using Pyrex, add 1/4 cup water to dish or bowl. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, using multiple sheets, if necessary; with paring knife, poke about 4 steam vents in plastic wrap. Microwave on high power until squash is very tender and offers no resistance when pierced with paring knife, 15 to 25 minutes. Using potholders, remove baking dish or bowl from oven and set on clean, dry surface (avoid damp or cold surfaces). 2. While squash is cooking, adjust oven rack to uppermost position (about 6 inches from heating element); heat broiler. Melt butter, brown sugar, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in small saucepan over low heat, whisking occasionally, until combined. 3. When squash is cooked, carefully pull back plastic wrap from side farthest from you. Using tongs, transfer cooked squash cut-side up to rimmed baking sheet. Spoon portion of butter/sugar mixture onto each squash half. Broil until brown and caramelized, 5 to 8 minutes, rotating baking sheet as necessary and removing squash halves as they are done. Set squash halves on individual plates and serve immediately. TECHNIQUE Two Ways to Cut Squash Safely-Knife and Rubber Mallet 1. Set squash on damp kitchen towel to hold it in place. Position knife on rind of squash. 2. Strike back of knife with rubber mallet to drive knife into squash. Continue to hit knife with mallet until knife cuts through squash. TECHNIQUE Two Ways to Cut Squash Safely-Metal Bench Scraper and Hammer 1. Set squash on damp kitchen towel. Position bench scraper on rind. 2. Strike handle of bench scraper with hammer to drive blade into squash. Continue to hit bench scraper with hammer until blade cuts through squash.