Best 6 Cheeky Cherry Acorn Squash Recipes

PERFECT ROASTED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean-up.
• To prepare the squash, use a sharp chef's knife to slice through it from the tip to the stem. I find it easiest to pierce the squash in the center along a depression line, then cut through the tip, and finish by slicing through the top portion just next to the stem. Use a large spoon to scoop out the seeds and stringy bits inside, and discard those pieces.
• Place the squash halves cut side up on the parchment-lined pan. Drizzle the olive oil over the squash, and sprinkle with the salt. Rub the oil into the cut sides of the squash, then turn them over so the cut sides are against the pan.
• Bake until the squash flesh is very easily pierced through by a fork, about 30 to 45 minutes depending on the size of your squash. Add any desired toppings, and serve warm.

CHEESY RICE-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Position a rack in the upper third of the oven; preheat to 425 degrees F. Put the squash, cut-side up, in a large microwave-safe dish with 1 tablespoon water; dot with 1 tablespoon butter and season with salt and pepper. Cover with plastic wrap and pierce with a knife to vent. Microwave until tender, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion; cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute. Add the flour and cook, stirring, 3 minutes. Whisk in the milk until smooth, then bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Add the cheese, stirring to melt. Add the nutmeg, 3/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Stir in the rice and spinach.
• Transfer the squash to a rimmed baking sheet and fill with the rice mixture. Sprinkle with more cheese and bake until lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Top with parsley.

WILD RICE, CHERRIES, APRICOTS AND CHEESY STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Squash -- Drizzle the olive oil the inside of the squash and sprinkle with sald and pepper. Place flesh side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment or even foil in a 400 degree oven, middle shelf for about 30-40 minutes depending on the size of the squash. Just poke with a knife and it should be tender but no falling apart. Remove from the oven so you can add the stuffing.
• Rice -- As the squash is baking, cook the rice according to the package directions. But as the rice cooks, add if your garlic and shallots, so it will cook right along with the rice. TIP: I always cook my rice in broth rather than water, so if you want to add some more flavor, rather than water, use chicken or vegetable broth.
• Finishing -- Once the rice is done, remove from the heat and stir in the butter, scallions, cherries, apricots and nuts. Then stuff the squash! I fill each squash half way, and then add a little cheese, add the rest of the rice and top with the remainder of the cheese.
• Bake -- 400 degrees for about 15 minutes. This will reheat the squash, rice, and melt the cheese.
• Serve -- ENJOY! 1 squash half per person is healthy and filling. As I mentioned, roast chicken is great with this or go lighter with a salad.

CHEEKY CHERRY ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Place cherries in a bowl; stir in sugar. Set aside.
• Mix 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper together in a gallon-size resealable plastic bag. Place acorn wedges into bag; shake to evenly coat with oil and spices. Place slices in a single layer on prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes; turn wedges. Continue to bake until golden brown, about 20 additional minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add sliced almonds and toast until fragrant, shaking pan to flip almonds, 1 or 2 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Transfer almonds to a bowl; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.
• Heat 1 teaspoon grapeseed oil in the same saucepan over medium heat; slowly add cherry/sugar mix. Heat through over medium heat. Remove from heat and carefully add brandy. Place pan back on heat and simmer until nearly all the liquid has evaporated, stirring frequently, about 4 minutes. Add chicken broth, orange peel, and dried cranberries. Bring to a simmer and reduce again by half, stirring frequently, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add cold, sliced butter and vanilla. Swirl pan until butter melts.
• Place acorn slices on a serving plate; pour cherry sauce over squash, and sprinkle with toasted almonds. Garnish with a mint sprig.

CHEESY ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 375. Cut squash in half and scrape out the seeds (set aside for replanting or discard) and place the squash cut side up in 13x9 baking dish. Add 1/2 cup water to dish and cover. Bake 40 minutes or until squash is tender. Mix butter, sugar and oil and spoon over squash. Top with cheese and cinnamon and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes.
• 2. Note: To make squash easier to cut in half, pierce the whole squash in several pieces with a sharp knife. Place on microwave plate and heat on high for 2 minutes. Cook for 2 minutes and cut in half.

ROASTED SQUASH WITH CHERRY TOMATOES AND EGGS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees with racks in upper and lower thirds. Line 2 baking sheets with foil. Rub squashes all over with 1 tablespoon oil. Season with salt and thyme leaves, then place, cut-sides down, on a baking sheet. Add thyme sprigs. Place on upper rack; roast 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, toss tomatoes in remaining 1 tablespoon oil; season with salt. Spread on second sheet in a single layer. Place on lower rack; roast until tomatoes are beginning to collapse and squashes are tender, 20 to 25 minutes more.
• Remove tomatoes. Turn squashes cut-sides up and roast 5 minutes more. If hollowsin squashes are large enough, spoon a tomato or two into each. Spoon 1/2 teaspoon chile paste into each hollow, then crack an egg into each; season with salt. Bake until whites are set but still a bit wobbly and yolks are soft, 12 to 15 minutes. (Start checking for donenessat early end of range, removing squashes with cooked eggs as they're done.) Let stand 3 minutes, then serve, with more chile paste and roasted tomatoes, and seasoned with pepper.