ACORN SQUASH

Stuffed Acorn Squash

Acorn Squash
3 onions, chopped
2 Tbsp oil
1 cup diced celery
1 bunch spinach, coarsely chopped
½-1 C. whole wheat bread crumbs
½ tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Halve squash; remove seeds.  Place face-down in greased baking dish; bake until fork-tender, 25-45 minutes.  Meanwhile, sauté onions in oil until soft.  Add celery; cover and simmer on medium heat until just tender.  Stir in spinach; cook until wilted.  (Raise heat to cook off any extra moisture).  Stuff squash with vegetable mixture.  Sprinkle with bread crumbs and salt.  Bake 10-15 minutes. 

Acron Squash with Pasta

6  slices bacon
1  2-2 1/2  pound butter nut or acorn squash- peeled, seeded, and diced ( 4 to 5 cups)
2  cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups chicken brooth
1  teaspoon kosher salt
4  oz. soft goat cheese crumbled. ( or your favorite soft cheese)
1  1 pound package linguine, cooked
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 5 min..Drain on paper towel, then crumble or break into pieces: set aside.

Drain all but about 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat from the skillet. Add the squash and garlic to the skillet and saute' over med. heat for 3 to 5 min.  Stir in the brooth and salt. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally. until the suuash is cooked through and softened, 20 to 25 min.. Add half the goat cheese and stir well to combine. Place the cooked linguine in a bowl. Stir the sauce into the linguine and toss well to coat. Drizzle with the olive oil and add reserved bacon, the remaining goat cheese, and the pepper. Serve immediately. Yummy,

ACORN SQUASH BOWLS

Slice Acorn squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds. In the cavity place 1 T butter, 1/4 t cinnamon, 2 T brown sugar, 2 T raisins, 2 T chopped nuts (walnuts are good.) Cover with foil and place in a casserole dish. Add 1/2 C water to the bottom of casserole dish; this will help steam cook the squash. Cover and bake for one hour at 350 degrees. A savory version would include salt, pepper, savory, rosemary, 1/2 T minced onion and garlic, a few croutons, and 2 T shredded cheese. Be creative and include your own favorite seasonings and herbs.

BAKED ACORN SQUASH

Baked squash is very easy. Simply halve an acorn squash, scoop out the seeds/strings and place it cut-side down on a foiled cookie sheet. Cook in a 350 degree oven for 45-60 minutes depending on the size of the squash. Remove from the oven, scoop out pulp and serve or use in recipes.