Description
A delightful fall dish filled with sweet apples and crunchy walnuts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 acorn squash, halved and seeds removed
- 1 cup diced apples
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
- Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven warms up, take your acorn squash and carefully slice each one in half using a sharp knife. Make sure to remove all the seeds from the center. This is important as it allows the flavors to infuse into the squash without any bitter interruptions from the seeds. Once halved, brush the insides of the squash with olive oil, ensuring a generous coverage.
- Next, place the squash halves cut side down on a baking sheet. This position allows for even roasting while helping to caramelize the natural sugars of the squash. Roast in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork. The goal is to achieve a soft texture without losing the structure, which will hold your delicious filling later.
- While the squash is roasting, grab a large mixing bowl. In this bowl, combine the diced apples, chopped walnuts, dried cranberries, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Drizzle the maple syrup over the top, which adds the perfect amount of sweetness to balance the flavors. Mix everything gently but thoroughly, ensuring the spices and sweeteners coat the apples well. This stuffing is where the magic happens, giving your squash a delightful aromatic filling that embodies the essence of fall!
- After the roasting time, carefully remove the squash from the oven and flip them over so the cut sides are now facing up. Be cautious; they will be hot! Then, spoon the apple mixture evenly into each half of the squash, packing it in gently. This is your chance to be generous; make sure each half gets plenty of that delicious filling!
- Once stuffed, return the filled squash to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes. This final cooking time allows the apples to soften beautifully while the flavors meld together. When it’s done, you’ll notice the aroma wafting through your kitchen and surely get everyone excited for dinner. Allow the stuffed squash to cool slightly before serving to avoid any burns and enhance the flavors!
Notes
Make sure to choose acorn squashes that are firm and heavy for their size to ensure freshness. Taste the apple filling before stuffing the squash. Adjust sweetness with more maple syrup if necessary.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
Nutrition
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Protein: 7 g