What is it?

Acorn squash is a hard-shelled winter sqaush shaped like its namesake nut. It may have white-gold, warm orange, or dark green skin, but all have the same golden flesh inside. A great choice for baking, the flesh cooks up dry and sweet, with a definable but pleasant texture.

Kitchen math:

1 squash yields 2 substantial side-dish servings

没有吗？

Substitute delicata squash, which are similarly sized and shaped.

How to choose:

Choose squash that feel heavy for their size; those that don’t feel heavy probably have been sitting around for a while and have lost moisture. Although acorn squash is grown year-round, peak season is October through March, when it has been cold-weather harvested and stored in the cold to develop its sugars.

How to prep:

Acorn squash is so delicious that it doesn’t need much fussing with, which is a good thing, because that ridged surface is a real drag to peel. So keep it simple: trim the tip and the root end just enough so the squash can stand upright. Cut it in half and remove any seeds and extra fibers with a sturdy spoon. Rub the flesh with butter, season with salt and pepper or a sprinkling of brown sugar or maple syrup, and bake, cut side up, until tender. You can also cut the squash into rings and bake or roast those.

How to store:

This hard-skinned squash will keep for weeks in a cool, dark, well ventilated area.

Recipes

• 
  Recipe

  Black Pepper Acorn Squash

  Yes, it is possible to cook winter squash in just 15 minutes. The key is to cut acorn squash into fairly thin wedges, skip any fussy peeling (the skin is…

• 
  Recipe

  Acorn Squash with Rosemary and Brown Sugar

  This quick braise gives a favorite fall vegetable a sweet and tangy finish. If you don't have a sauté pan large enough to brown all of the squash at once, brown it…

• 
  Recipe

  Maple-Roasted Acorn Squash

  Choose acorn squash on the small side; they'll be more tender and cook more quickly than large ones.

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  Recipe

  Master Recipe for Roasted Acorn Squash

  I like orange- and white-skinned acorn squash for its slightly moister flesh and thinner skin, but the dark green kind is delicious too. Choose acorn squash on the smaller side;…

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  Recipe

  Quick-Roasted Winter Vegetables

  对于工作日晚餐，您可以通过将冬季蔬菜切成薄片来加快烘焙冬季蔬菜的速度。对于像这样的混合泳，在单独烘烤上烤不同的蔬菜…