It was seven on a Sunday night and there I was, standing in my kitchen, thinking “What on earth am I going to make for dinner?” It had been a busy weekend and I wasn’t able to make it to the grocery store, and since I work at the Saturday farmer’s market in town, I often can’t actually escape the booth long enough to shop for myself. My produce selection at home was sparse. Then I remembered that I had an acorn squash.

I really try to eat seasonally available produce, and according to the wonderful Harvest app, we’re at the beginning of acorn squash season here in North Carolina. Luckily, I had picked one up on my last Whole Foods run. So, doing what so many of us do, I called my mom and asked for her acorn squash recipe. As a child I absolutely loved when my mom would make this recipe, as it was one of the only times she’d use brown sugar. Both my mom and I have since adapted it, swapping out the brown sugar for cleaner sweeteners, so now there’s no guilt involved. This simple recipe takes little prep time, and is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Easy Roasted Acorn Squash

InDependent Original

Ingredients:

• 1 medium acorn squash

• 4 tablespoons grass-fed salted butter

• 1-2 tablespoons coconut sugar or molasses

• 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon ginger

Instructions:

1.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2.  Using a large chef’s knife, carefully cut the acorn in half, longways (through the stem).

3.  With a tablespoon or ice cream scoop, remove the seeds from the squash.

4.  Pour water into a large, oven-safe dish, such as a dutch oven, until it is approximately one inch deep in pot. Place the squash in the pan, cut side up. If the squash won’t stay upright, use a smaller knife to trim off a small portion of the bottom of the squash to allow for a flat surface to stand on.

5.  Divide butter, coconut sugar or molasses, cinnamon, and ginger evenly between each half of the squash.

6.  Cover dish, place in oven, and cook for 30 minutes.

7.  Serve with main dish of choice, such as these Skillet Chicken Thighs.

What is your favorite way to prepare acorn squash?