Apple Pecan Acorn Squash Recipes

APPLE-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place the squash onto a baking sheet cut side down. Fill the baking sheet with 1/2 inch of water.
• Bake the squash in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Drain off any water remaining in the baking sheet.
• While the squash is baking, melt the margarine in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the onion and apple in the margarine until the onion has softened and turned translucent, 10 to 15 minutes. Scrape the mixture into a bowl to cool until the squash has finished baking.
• Once the squash is done, stir the raisins, brown sugar, cinnamon, and Cheddar cheese into the apple mixture. Turn the squash cut side up on the baking sheet and fill with the apple mixture. Return the squash to the oven; bake until the filling is hot and the cheese has melted, about 15 minutes.

SQUASH CASSEROLE WITH CRUNCHY PECAN TOPPING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Roast the squash cut side up on a baking sheet in preheated oven until the flesh is soft, about 50 minutes. Remove squash from oven and cool, then scoop out the flesh into a mixing bowl, or bowl of a food processor.
• Meanwhile, prepare the topping by mixing 2 1/2 tablespoons butter in a bowl with the brown sugar and flour until crumbly. Stir in the pecans. Set aside until needed.
• Lower oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease 11x7 inch baking dish.
• Beat or process the squash until smooth. Add the eggs, white sugar, half and half, vanilla, salt, and 2 1/2 tablespoons butter; process until well blended. Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the brown sugar topping mixture over the squash.
• Bake squash in preheated oven until topping is lightly brown, about 40 minutes.

SAUSAGE, PECAN AND APPLE STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Arrange squash cut side up in a 9x13 pan and pierce all over the flesh, without breaking the rind, using a fork or butter knife. Combine the butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, garlic salt and pepper; brush over cut sides and cavity of squash. Spoon the rest of the butter mixture evenly into the cavities of the squash.
• Bake in a large roasting pan until squash is tender yet still holds its shape, about 1 hour.
• To make the stuffing, cook sausage over medium-high heat in a large pan until light brown, breaking up into small pieces. Set pork aside in a large bowl. If there are not enough drippings, add 1 tablespoons olive oil to the pan. Add onion, celery and pecans; saute 5-7 minutes or until softened. Stir in apple, sage, cayenne, salt and pepper and saute 3-4 more minutes, or until apple is softened.
• Add vegetable mixture to bowl with sausage and stir to combine. Pour any remaining butter mixture from squash cavities into the stuffing. Add parmesan and almond meal and stir again. Taste and season with sage, cayenne, salt or pepper if needed (depending on your sausage you may not want to add more seasoning).
• Stir in the egg and parsley.
• Fill the squash halves with stuffing; they should be slightly mounded. Sprinkle generously with parmesan. Put pan in oven, then pour 1 cup water carefully between the squash into the pan.
• Return to oven and bake, covered, for 20 to 25 more minutes, or until the top of the stuffing is lightly browned.
• Enjoy!