Maple Glazed Acorn Squash with Pecans

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 30 min
🍽 Serves: 4
★★★★★
Be the First to Review!

Maple Glazed Acorn Squash with Pecans is a delightful fall dish that captures the essence of the season. With its sweet, nutty flavor and comforting aroma, it's perfect for cozy gatherings or a special weeknight treat. Let’s dive into how you can easily make this at home.

Ingredients for Maple Glazed Acorn Squash with Pecans

Acorn squashes are the stars of this dish, offering a mild sweetness and lovely texture when roasted. The butter adds richness, while the maple syrup brings a deep, natural sweetness that pairs perfectly with the squash. Brown sugar adds a hint of caramel flavor, and the cinnamon and nutmeg provide warm, cozy spices that enhance the dish. A touch of salt balances the sweetness, and chopped pecans offer a delightful crunch. Finally, a bit of olive oil ensures the squash roasts evenly and doesn't stick to the pan.

Tips & Tricks

  • If you find your squash hard to cut, microwave it for a minute to soften the skin slightly.
  • Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds — it’s much easier than a knife.
  • For even more flavor, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the maple glaze for a subtle kick.

Serving Suggestions

This dish pairs beautifully with roasted chicken or turkey for a hearty meal. Alternatively, serve it as a standalone vegetarian dish with a side of quinoa salad or a light arugula salad to balance the sweetness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of squash?
Yes, butternut or delicata squash can be used, though cooking times may vary slightly.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
You can prepare the glaze in advance, but the squash is best roasted fresh for optimal texture.

Maple Glazed Acorn Squash with Pecans Recipe Walkthrough

First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This gives you time to prepare everything else while the oven heats up. Now, take your acorn squashes and cut them in half. Scoop out the seeds with a spoon — it’s a bit like carving a pumpkin, but much easier. Once cleaned, slice each half into 1-inch thick slices. Arrange these on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, which helps with easy cleanup.

Next, in a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Stir in the maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until you have a smooth, aromatic mixture. Brush the squash slices with olive oil to prevent them from sticking, and then drizzle the maple mixture evenly over the top.

Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast the squash for 25 minutes. This is when the magic happens — your kitchen will start to smell amazing! After 25 minutes, sprinkle the chopped pecans over the squash. Pop it back in the oven for another 5 minutes, just enough time to toast the pecans and make the squash perfectly tender.

Once done, remove from the oven and serve warm. The maple glaze will be bubbling, and the pecans will be golden brown and fragrant.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Simple ingredients with big flavor payoff.
  • Perfect balance of sweetness and spice.
  • Nutty crunch from pecans adds texture.
  • Beautiful presentation with minimal effort.

Ingredients

2 medium acorn squashes
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1 tbsp olive oil

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cut the acorn squashes in half and scoop out the seeds.
3. Cut each half into 1-inch thick slices and arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat and stir in the maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
5. Brush the slices with olive oil, then drizzle the maple mixture over the squash evenly.
6. Roast in the oven for 25 minutes, then sprinkle the chopped pecans over the squash and return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes until the pecans are toasted and the squash is tender.
7. Serve warm.

Ratings and Comments

Thank you for your rating!