Chef John's Baked Acorn Squash

Chef John's baked acorn squash scores the squash before baking, making for a great presentation. It also allows the glaze to penetrate nice and deep.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 55 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
• Calories: 194 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ground black pepper to taste
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 acorn squash, cut in half lengthwise and seeded

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

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

Step 2

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

Step 3

Score squash by making 1/4-inch deep slashes into flesh; place in a baking dish. Brush with orange juice; season with salt.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

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, if desired.