How do you bake acorn squash?

Baking Acorn Squash: A Delicious Guide

Here's a simple and delicious way to bake acorn squash:

Ingredients:

* 1 medium acorn squash

* 2 tablespoons olive oil

* 1/4 teaspoon salt

* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

* Optional: 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Prepare the squash: Cut the acorn squash in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and any stringy bits.

3. Season the squash: Drizzle each half with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and optional maple syrup or honey.

4. Bake: Place the squash halves cut-side down on a baking sheet. Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the squash is tender when pierced with a fork.

5. Serve: Once cooked, flip the squash halves over. You can serve the squash as is, or you can top it with additional toppings like butter, cinnamon, or nuts.

Tips & Tricks:

* Choosing a squash: Pick a squash that is firm and heavy for its size. Avoid squash that has soft spots or bruises.

* Faster cooking: To shorten the cooking time, pierce the squash flesh with a fork a few times before baking.

* Flavor variations: You can add other spices to your squash, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, or chili powder.

* Sweet or savory: You can bake acorn squash with a sweet or savory filling. Some popular options include stuffing, quinoa, or rice.

Enjoy your delicious baked acorn squash!