Pumpkin gets all the spotlight during autumn, but the acorn squash is not to be overshadowed.
There's so much to love about acorn squash: It's easy to cook, has a long shelf life, can be halved and roasted in advance for easy make-ahead dishes and has a fragrant, naturally sweet, versatile flavor that can serve as a canvas for a myriad of dishes. Whether you eat it for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert, as a side dish, appetizer or entrée, it's sure to hit the spot.
For the folks who have only ever baked acorn squash on its own with a sprinkle of salt or seasoning, these recipes will open your eyes to the possibilities of the mighty squash. Learn how to whip up stuffed acorn squash in the oven, turn it into a creamy soup or add heft to salads.
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Ina Garten's Maple-Roasted Acorn Squash
Ina Garten
"When I was growing up, my mother served a lot of canned vegetables, but the one thing she always made from scratch was acorn squash, which she roasted with butter and maple syrup," Ina Garten told. TODAY Food.
Her simple, straightforward recipe is easy to make. As it roasts, the little bowl where the seeds have been scooped out fills with a big puddle of melted butter and sweet syrup. It's irresistible!
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Roasted Acorn Squash with Maple Syrup and Cinnamon
Ed Brown
One of the best things about squash is that it doesn't need a ton of fancy ingredients to make it shine. This recipe uses warm fall spices like cinnamon and allspice, with a hint of cayenne for a kick to make bring out the squash's vibrant flavor.
Nathan R. Congleton / TODAY
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Acorn Squash with Brown Butter and Honey
Camila Alves
Take a break from butternut and try mashed acorn squash with garlic and sweet potatoes for any fall feast. It's sweetened with some honey, which balances out the savory mash beautifully.
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Roasted Acorn Squash with Harissa-Citrus Dressing and Mint
Gail Simmons
This salad is earthy, bright, a little spicy and totally delicious, all thanks to the unique harissa-citrus dressing, creamy mozzarella and refreshing mint garnish.
Aubrie Pick / Guy Fieri Family Food/HarperCollins Publishers
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Guy Fieri's Stuffed Acorn Squash
Guy Fieri
Stuffed squash is one of those great "kitchen sink" dishes that allows you to repurpose all kinds of leftovers without anyone being the wiser. They're so easy to halve and bake ahead of time and pop back in the oven when you have a few rounds of leftovers with which to stuff them. An aioli like the one here adds an creamy-spicy kick.
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Stuffed Acorn Squash with Mixed Grains, Apples and Chorizo
Roze Traore
This recipe is really versatile because you can make it for meat-lovers or vegans alike (all at the same time). Feel free to stuff half the squash with chorizo and the other half with vegan sausage to please all your family members or guests.
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Bibb Lettuce and Roasted Acorn Squash Salad with Feta and Walnuts
Roze Traore
A nourishing yet light salad, this easy side or main dish has protein-rich nuts, nutritious squash and a piquant vinaigrette that gently coats the tender greens.
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Roasted Squash and Burrata Salad with Pumpkin Seed Salsa Verde
Ryan Hardy
The cool, creaminess of burrata cheese pairs perfectly with winter squashes like acorn or kabocha. Chef Ryan Hardy adds some Italian flavor to it with browned butter, balsamic vinegar and pumpkin seed salsa verde.
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Acorn Squash Soup with Parmesan and Herb Croutons
Roze Traore
What acorn squash recipe roundup would be complete without a luscious soup? It's so comforting, impressive and only takes five minutes to prep (and 30 minutes to hit the table!).
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Roasted Winter Squash
Lidia Bastianich
Squash is one of those colorful, delicious side dishes that can hit the table in October and stay there through the winter months. It's seasonal, fragrant and easy to make. By roasting the squash, it is transformed, becoming the centerpiece rather than a side dish.
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Erica Chayes Wida
Erica Chayes Wida is an award-winning journalist, food writer and recipe editor who helmed a local newspaper before joining TODAY's freelance team. A mother of two, she loves singing, collecting old vinyl and, of course, cooking. Erica is forever on a worldwide quest to find the best ham and cheese croissant and brainstorms best over a sauce pot of bubbling pasta sauce. Her work has been featured on BBC Travel, Saveur, Martha Stewart Living and PopSugar. Follow along onInstagram.
FAQs
Table Ace Acorn Squash is well-known as the best tasting acorn squash on the market.
What is an interesting fact about acorn squash? ›
The Acorn squash was a favorite of early civilizations as it could be baked whole in their outdoor clay and brick ovens. Dating back to 4000 B.C., acorn squash, sometimes called Danish squash, is an edible gourd that grows on a vine.
How to tell if acorn squash is bad? ›
A squash with soft spots and is soft to the touch, is a sign that the squash has gone bad. And if it starts to leak fluid, that's a sure sign that the squash is spoiled. Likewise, if the flesh and seeds of the fruit are mushy and slimy, that's a clear sign that it shouldn't be eaten.
Is acorn squash better for you than butternut squash? ›
Acorn squash is nutrient dense and definitely worth eating more of! Acorn contains less beta-carotene than butternut, but similar amounts of folate + vitamin C.
What is the healthiest squash? ›
1. Butternut Squash. One of the most popular varieties of squash, it can be use in so many ways. It's one of the most rich in Vitamin A, boasting about 100% of the recommended daily value per cup, in the antioxidant form of beta-carotene.
What is the difference between acorn squash and golden acorn squash? ›
The improved variety of Gold acorn is celebrated for its high protein content and three times the beta-carotene content of traditional acorn squash.
What does acorn squash do for the body? ›
This squash has a lot of antioxidants, which can boost your immunity and help your body to fight off certain diseases. Acorn squash contains antioxidants like vitamin C that help strengthen bones and blood vessels. It also has vitamin A, which helps improve the health of your lungs, heart and other vital organs.
Is it OK to eat a whole acorn squash? ›
Use the squash in any recipe that calls for cooked acorn squash or eat the squash on its own: Break it into 2- to 3-inch pieces, transfer to a platter and season with salt, pepper and a drizzle of olive oil. (The skin is perfectly edible, but you can also easily peel off the skin, if you like.
Is acorn squash a Superfood? ›
Acorn squash is rich in nutrients, such as fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium. It also packs many beneficial plant compounds, including carotenoid antioxidants. As a result, acorn squash may promote overall health and protect against certain chronic conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Do acorn squash need to be refrigerated? ›
Acorn Squash Storage
Winter squash will last up to a month in a cool (50 to 55 F) dark cellar or storage area, but only about two weeks in the refrigerator. Ideally, only cut or cooked acorn squash should be refrigerated; they will suffer chill damage at temperatures below 50 F.
Knowing if your summer squash is still fresh is very similar with winter squash, but note that summer squash tends to turn bad much quicker. For best flavor, check for these signs of spoilage: Visible mold and fungus. Mushy, soft spots on a whole squash, that when cut are spongy and soft.
Should you wash acorn squash before storing? ›
Food Safety and Storage
Scrub winter squash with a vegetable brush under cool running water before cooking or cutting. Do not use soap. Do not wash squash before storing. Keep squash away from raw meat and meat juices to prevent cross-contamination.
Is acorn squash a carb or vegetable? ›
Acorn squash is a starchy vegetable, meaning it's higher in carbs than non starchy ones, like broccoli and spinach. If you're watching your carbs, limit acorn squash to one cup or about 25% of your plate.
Does acorn squash raise blood sugar? ›
Its low glycemic index can help prevent rapid spikes in blood sugar levels, making it a suitable option for maintaining stable glucose levels. Moreover, the dietary fiber content in squash aids in slowing down the absorption of sugar, promoting better blood sugar control and overall metabolic health.
Is acorn squash anti-inflammatory? ›
Acorn squash has more carotenoids than any other food. Carotenoids are a powerful antioxidant that help fight inflammation and prevent cell damage.
What is the best tasting acorn? ›
The advantages of the Bur Oak are: 1 - the acorn is a bit larger than the others, therefore you get more for the effort. 2 - it is outright the best tasting. 3 - requires the least processing. Chinkapin Oaks have very good acorns, and they do grow faster and produce sooner than the Bur or White Oak.
Which squash has the most flavor? ›
Honeynut Squash: The sweetness and flavor made this a clear winner. Delicata Squash: This is actually tied with acorn squash and both are similar in texture and flavor which is why they are ranked at the top.
What tastes better, butternut or buttercup squash? ›
To make things even more confusing, they actually taste pretty similar: both are often described as having a sweet, nutty taste that goes well with soups (although butternut squash is just slightly sweeter).
What is the sweetest acorn? ›
These are the acorns of our favorite eating (after processing!) oak, the Valley Oak, Quercus lobata. This is often what you see when you look at the ground under a Valley Oak this time of year.
