Roasted Acorn Squash with Apples and Cranberries

Nutty, savory, tart, and sweet... This acorn squash makes a great autumn side dish that's even better the next day, and perfect for Thanksgiving! Serve with roasted chicken or turkey. This can also be tossed with white or brown rice for a complete meal.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 20 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 50 mins
• Calories: 226 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter
• ⅓ cup water
• ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped celery
• ½ cup finely chopped walnuts (Optional)
• 2 large acorn squash
• 3 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored, and diced

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Place squash into a large pot of boiling water; boil for 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer squash to a large bowl of ice cold water and set aside until cool enough to handle, 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 3

Peel squash along the ridges using a vegetable peeler, then use a teaspoon or grapefruit spoon to dig out peel in the valleys of the squash. Slice squash in half and remove seeds and stem. Cut remaining squash into bite-sized chunks.

Step 4

Combine squash, apples, celery, onion, and dried cranberries in a large bowl.

Step 5

Combine brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small bowl. Add to squash mixture and toss well to combine. Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish. Add water and dot the top with butter. Sprinkle with walnuts.

Step 6

Bake, uncovered, in the preheated oven until squash is fork-tender, about 1 hour. Add some liquid halfway through to prevent drying out, if necessary. Serve hot.