For those who love the taste of squash, this recipe is definitely for you! This recipe is for the squash lover at heart, and those who are looking for something really sugar sweet and coated will not find happiness here. All of us at the house decided this isn't the recipe for us as we prefer more...spice and less in your face squash flavor. The glaze was fantastic, but there simply wasn't enough to go around for us to enjoy our squash with. We're headed back to nutmeg, agave, cinnamon and vanilla. I halved the recipe and omitted the cayenne as the kids don't do spicy.
I tried this recipe for my first-ever encounter with acorn squash! I prepared it exactly as instructed, with the one exception of softening the squash in the microwave before cutting it in half (so much easier!). I pierced it with a fork and nuked it for about 5 minutes, then reduced the initial time in the oven to 20 minutes. It turned out beautifully. Scoring the flesh really allowed the glaze to seep in well, and my guests loved the fact that the glaze was sweet, but not TOO sweet. It is refreshing to stumble upon an acorn squash recipe that doesn't drown the flavor in butter and brown sugar! As I side dish, I prepared rice with sauteed celery, mushrooms, apples, onions, water chestnuts, almonds, and Craisins. It was a delicious and relatively simple autumn meal, and I will be making it again!
Another great Chef John creation. Simple, delicious and nutritious. Very family friendly. I made the sauce in a small glass measuring cup in the microwave. Easy cleanup.
Thanks Chef John!!! Love the wonderful squash flavor shining through! I didn't have orange juice the second time I made it so I substituted a small can of Dole pineapple juice. Didn't even need the brown sugar with the sweetness of the pineapple. A definite go-to for my family!
Haven't tried it yet but already like it. Less sugar - better health and taste
I thought this was really a winner. I read some of the other reviews and took some of their advice. I changed the orange juice to pineapple juice and doubled the maple syrup and butter but took out the brown sugar. The best part was the cayenne pepper. When you first taste this dish it is sweet but in the aftermath of your bite... a nice warmth from the cayenne. I will sure make this again!
Recipe is a keeper! The squash was not as ripe as I would have liked it. It wasn't that beautiful orange color of John's in the video. Next time I will get the squash from the Farmer's Market instead of Walmart.
This was wonderfully delicious! The only trouble I had was scoring the squash; find the right knife and be careful! I found a small paring knife to be the best once I cut the squash in half. Great recipe.
I added some fresh oj to the glaze as well and just divided that equally into the squash and served with the glaze in the middle.
