Acorn Squash

This has become one of my favorite fall recipes.  It’s so easy peasy too!  Never in a million years did I ever think I would eat squash. How do you eat squash?  It’s a weird, hard vegetable.  It was on special at the grocery store, so I bought some.  That’s how I do things around here.  Whatever is dirt cheap at the store is what we eat that week.  If I don’t know how to make it I usually figure something out.  Managing a budget for a large family on one income is a lot of work.  That’s a whole other story though, so back to the squash.  Here is all you need for this squash.  Most of this you should already have at home.  At least I do.  They are what I call staples around here, except the squash.   So far, so good.  Easy, right?  Oh, I forgot to put butter and salt in the photo, but you have that stuff laying around, I’m sure of it. Now you need a really sharp knife.  Hack your squash in half. Then scrape out the middle, like you do when you are carving pumpkins. Grab a stick of butter.  Cut into 1 tablespoon squares and stick them in the hole of the squash.Over the top of the butter dump a tablespoon of brown sugar.Next sprinkle some nutmeg and cinnamon over everything.Lookin’ good!Add some dried cranberries. This will give it a little sweet and tart flavor.  It’s perfect.     Then sprinkle a little salt over it all. Now they’re ready to be cooked.   We’ll do this quickly because who wants to sit around and wait when this squash looks so good.  Pour about 1/4-1/2 cup of water into the bottom of the dish.  Then cover with plastic wrap.  Stick the whole thing in the microwave for 15 minutes.Oh, I couldn’t leave out my cute little helper.  Are you freaking out, Lauren? She’s sitting on my countertop. :)  She likes the view from here.  She can see all the action. When it’s done you’ll open the microwave door and you’ll be hit with the amazing smell of sweet cranberries and butter.     Pull out a plate.  Get a fork.  Take a bite.  It will be hard to contain yourself.  You’ll be like a little kid who can’t wait to eat dessert.  So enjoy it.

 

ACORN SQUASH

2 Servings (May be doubled or tripled)

• 1 Acorn squash
• 2 Tablespoons butter
• 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries

Cut squash in half and scrape out the middle.  Put half of the butter, sugar, and cranberries into half of the squash.  Then sprinkle with nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt.  Do the same with the other half of the squash.  Place in microwave safe dish.  Pour 1/4 cup of water into the bottom of the dish, so steam can rise and not dry out the squash.  Cover with plastic wrap.  Cut a few slits in the top.  Microwave on high for 7-10 minutes.  If you double or triple the recipe you’ll probably have to cook it longer.  Stick a fork into the squash.  If it’s nice and soft then it’s done.

If you try it be sure to come back here and leave a comment letting me know how it turned out for you.