Description
A delightful autumn side dish featuring tender roasted acorn squash wedges glazed with sweet maple syrup and aromatic cinnamon, topped with crunchy pecans for added texture and flavor. Perfect for holiday meals or cozy weeknight dinners, this recipe is both vegetarian and gluten-free.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 medium acorn squash, halved, seeds removed, and cut into wedges
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
- Fresh thyme or rosemary for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for roasting.
- Make Maple Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil or melted butter, pure maple syrup, ground cinnamon, salt, and black pepper until well combined to create a flavorful glaze.
- Coat Squash: Place the acorn squash wedges in a large bowl or directly on the baking sheet, and toss them with the maple mixture until they are evenly coated, ensuring each piece is flavorful. Arrange the wedges in a single layer with the cut side facing up.
- First Roast: Roast the squash in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to begin softening and caramelizing them.
- Add Pecans and Sugar: Remove the baking sheet from the oven, sprinkle the chopped pecans and optional brown sugar evenly over the squash wedges.
- Final Roast: Return the squash to the oven and roast for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the squash is fork-tender and the pecans are toasted and caramelized.
- Serve: Serve the roasted squash warm, garnished with fresh thyme or rosemary if desired for an extra touch of aroma and color.
Notes
- For a savory twist, add a dash of smoked paprika or sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the squash before serving.
- This dish pairs wonderfully as a side for holiday meals or cozy weeknight dinners.
- Using melted butter instead of olive oil adds richness and a buttery flavor.
- Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary complement the sweetness and add freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
