This cozy acorn squash is slow-roasted to perfection and covered in a citrus-y ginger orange glaze.—A family-favorite side dish alongside mashed potatoes and roast chicken.
I have a mild/borderline-unhealthy obsession with anything winter squash.
As in, I get random cravings for acorn or butternut squash in July when all the winter squash is usually on extreme backorder.
So I patiently wait…..and wait, and wait. And by the time we’re into October I’m practically going nuts from winter squash-withdrawal.
Which, by the way is a totally legit condition. Really.
And it can get pretty serious if I don’t get my share of winter squash on a regular basis.
So just FYI—you’re probably gonna be flat-out sick of squash recipes on my blog before winter even STARTS.
Let’s start with my current favorite way to eat acorn squash. Slow-roasted and covered to perfection in citrus-y glaze. Ahhh YES!
Fall dreams in other words. š
Covered in orange ‘n’ sugar ‘n’ spice and everything nice.
The main flavorings in this squash is orange zest and crystallized ginger. The two go hand in hand and compliment each other SO well with the mild buttery acorn squash.—The absolute TOPS flavor combo in my opinion.
I had to pinch myself to believe that I was actually eating something healthy. ā„
This squash really could NOT be simpler to make. You’re just going to halve your acorn squash (try not to cut your hand off I like I nearly did) Sprinkle with a sugar ‘n’ spices mix, pour some water in the bottom of the pan and let ‘er roast low and slow for about an hour. Or until your house smells like some version of fall heaven.
While the squash bakes, lovely little pools of glaze will magically form. Once the squash is nice and tender, then you can then scoop it out and serve with the glaze.
The glaze is my absolute favorite part. ā„ So gosh-darn, finger-lickin’ good. š
Try your best to save at least some of the glaze for the squash, though. Your conscience will probably be telling you to just grab a spoon and go at it. š
My favorite way to serve this squash is as a side dish alongside our usual Friday-night dinner fare of roast chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans.—It’s the PERFECT fancy schmancy side dish and it’s not even hard at ALL to make.
Let your oven do the grunt-work for you while you kick back and sip your wine.
P.S. I know it’s super-super early to be thinking about Thanksgiving, but really? You know that this squash has gotta go on your menu this year. š
It’s elegant, easy-peasy and really, EVERYONE loves acorn squash. And if you don’t…well, then I seriously question your tastebuds.
I could eat this stuff for dessert and be happy. š
Ginger-Orange Glazed Acorn Squash
Ingredients
- 2 medium acorn squash halved and seeds removed
- 3 tablespoons coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon crystallized ginger finely minced
- 1/2 teaspoon sweet curry
- 2 tablespoons grated orange zest
- 1/3 cup water
Instructions
-
Place acorn squash cut side-up in a large baking pan. In a small bowl, combine sugar, ginger, curry, and orange zest. Sprinkle evenly into each squash cavity. Carefully pour water into the bottom of pan. Cover pan with aluminum foil.
-
Bake squash at 400F 1 hour or until squash is soft and tender. To serve, scoop out squash and drizzle with additional glaze.
Recipe Notes
Store squash in refrigerator up to 3 days.
You make acorn squash look even better that it already is! Loving the flavors you included in the glaze, especially the crystallized ginger and sweet curry. I just picked up some squash at a farmer’s market(acorn, butternut, and spaghetti) and will be trying this! Thanks for the recipe, Sarah:)
Heather @ Shards of Lavender recently posted…Peanut Butter Cinnamon Toast Bark
Yay for squash season! I still have yet to get my hands on some spaghetti squash this fall.–thanks for reminding me! š I hope you’ll let me know if you try this acorn squash, Heather! š
I’m ashamed to admit I’ve never had acorn squash. I eat butternut squash and summer squash all the time so I’m sure I’d love acorn squash too. The glaze you added to these sounds incredible. Loving all of the flavors. Pinning!
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert recently posted…Cranberry White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
If you love butternut squash, then you will fall in LOVE with acorn squash, Jen! I still don’t know which squash I like better. š Thanks for pinning, lady!
Wow Sarah my month is watering… what an awesome ginger orange glaze! I’ve never thought to have acorn squash with this kind of glaze!! Delicious!
Olivia – Primavera Kitchen recently posted…Carrot Leek Soup
Thanks Olivia! The secret truly is in the “glaze” if you will. š
What is “sweet curry”?
Thanks,
Gayle
Sweet curry is basically the same thing as regular curry powder, but has a slightly sweeter taste. Regular curry is a perfectly fine sub if you can’t find sweet curry. š
What a creative recipe, Sarah! I’ve never even heard of a glazed acorn squash, so I’m intrigued! Sounds like a delicious side dish for the fall!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Mexican Quinoa Salad Recipe – Healthy and Delicious!
You definitely need to try glazed squash this fall/winter, Gayle! You will fall in love. š
I cannot wait to try this recipe Sarah! I love acorn squash (I haven’t found it yet in Belgium so I eat a ton when going home for Christmas!!). I love that you made these with coconut sugar – I cannot wait to try when I go home in a couple months! Pinned š
Ceara @ Ceara’s Kitchen recently posted…Pumpkin Oat Blender Pancakes {Flour Free, Gluten Free, Refined Sugar Free, Vegan}
Thanks Ceara! I hope you enjoy this squash! š
What a unique flavor combo!
Annie @Maebells recently posted…Seasoned Black Beans + Loaded Tex Mex Bowls and a Kitchen Aid Mixer Giveaway!
Thanks Annie!
We’re both doing acorn squash this week! Great minds think alike. š Love your version your and love your photos!!!
Tina @ Tina’s Chic Corner recently posted…Spinach Pie Spaghetti Squash
Total foodie twins we are! Thanks Tina! š
I LOVE acorn squash! My mom used to make it all the time in the Fall and Winter, when I was a kid!
And now you’ve total;y convinced me that I want this, and roast chicken, and green beans, and mashed potatoes for dinner, haha! That sounds like the best meal, ever!
Rachael | Spache the Spatula recently posted…Pumpkin Spice Latte Martini
It totally is my favorite meal of the week. š The squash might be my favorite part about it. š
This is seriously the prettiest acorn squash – I am DROOLING over that ginger orange glaze. Bring on all the winter squash recipes because I could never get sick of them š Pinning!
Kelly – Life Made Sweeter recently posted…Pumpkin Oreo Cupcakes with Cinnamon Maple Frosting
Thanks so much Kelly! Hope you have a great weekend girl!
I don’t think I could ever get sick of acorn squash! When I was little, I used to call them “bowls”, because when my mom roasted them they looked like little bowls. Ha! The flavors of this sound amazing!
I personally LOVE acorn bowls. š Thanks Nat!
I don’t think I’ve ever tried acorn squash. I always go for butternut or spaghetti! But this looks amazing so I think I’m going to have to change things up next time! Pinned!
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. recently posted…Double Chocolate Scones
Thanks for pinning, Stacey! You definitely need to give acorn squash a try!
We love acorn squash! And the glaze looks amazing! I love this –> “Covered in orange ānā sugar ānā spice and everything nice.” I believe it, because I can see it! Gorgeous photos!
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen recently posted…Roasted Pumpkin Seeds – 3 Flavors – Bacon, Worcestershire & Garlic, and Cajun
Thanks for the photography compliments, Kristi!
Wow, this dish looks incredible! Love the flavor combinations. Can’t wait to see what other recipes you come up with too š
Danielle recently posted…Buffalo Chicken Taquitos
Thanks, lady! š
I get really excited when I see winter squash –all of it! When I saw the title of your post I thought “YES!” This looks so good, and I can’t wait to try it!
Haha! Winter squash gets me pretty excited too so I’m right there with ‘ya. š Thanks Marcie!
Beautiful! I don’t love acorn squash, but I would give it a try with this delicious glaze!
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating recently posted…Gluten Free Pumpkin Pecan Muffins with Chocolate Chips.
I guarantee that this recipe will change your mind about acorn squash, Kelly! š
This makes me want to eat squash, and I’m not a huge fan, so that’s a really good thing! Sounds and looks amazing!
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! recently posted…Lasagna Soup
Thanks Amber! Hope you have a good weekend. š
Such a perfect fall recipe! I suffer from squash-itis as well haha. What would fall be without squash. This is such a terrific idea, thanks for sharing š
Nicole @ Waterloo, with Love recently posted…Honey Crisp Apple Cider Sangrias
Hahaha! “Squash-itis” Um, LOVE IT. š
Im a winter squash fanatic also. We smart ones are in short supply, I fear! This recipe is very likely to show up on my Thanksgiving table. It sounds yummy! Icould easily see this glaze drizzled over vanilla bean ice cream too.