SummaryĪcorn squash is a sweet winter squash that’s low in calories yet packed with nutrients, including vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium.ĭue to its nutritional profile, acorn squash provides some impressive health benefits. It’s also an excellent source of B vitamins, which are involved in red blood cell production and metabolism, as well as the electrolytes magnesium and potassium, which are critical for muscle function and blood pressure regulation ( 4).Īdditionally, acorn squash is brimming with fiber, a nutrient that’s essential for healthy digestion and plays an important role in disease prevention ( 5). It’s especially high in vitamin C, a water-soluble nutrient that promotes immune system health by supporting immune cell function and protecting against potentially harmful microbes ( 3). Though acorn squash is low in calories, it’s packed with various nutrients. Provitamin A: 18% of the Daily Value (DV).One cup (205 grams) of cooked acorn squash offers ( 2): Like other winter squash, acorn squash are highly nutritious, providing a quality source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They’re also favored by backyard farmers, as they’re easy to grow and can be kept for up to a month when properly cured and stored, providing a nutritious produce source during times when other fresh vegetables are scarce. Though they’re botanically classified as a fruit, they’re considered a starchy vegetable and can be used similarly to other high-carb vegetables, such as potatoes, butternut squash, and sweet potatoes. They’re grown in many countries throughout the world but especially popular in North America. However, the most commonly grown varieties are dark green and often have a patch of bright orange towards the top.Īcorn squash have sweet, yellow-orange flesh that has a slightly nutty flavor. It has an acorn-like shape with ridged skin that can vary in color from dark green to white. Want more ways to use acorn squash? This Stuffed Acorn Squash is the perfect dish to try next!Įditor's note: This recipe was update to add a video and more information about the dish in the introduction on August 8th, 2022.Acorn squash is a type of winter squash that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae or gourd family, which also includes pumpkin, butternut squash, and zucchini ( 1). A fork should be able to easily pierce the squash and shred it. Place your squash on a large baking sheet or in a baking dish, cut side up. For sweet, brush it with softened butter and sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon all over it. For savory, drizzle it with some olive oil and sprinkle paprika or curry powder over it with some salt and pepper. Leave the skin on and cut into half moon slices or peel the skin off and cut into large cubes!Ĭhoose if you would rather go the sweet or savory route with your acorn squash. At this point you can also cut the squash further if you don't want to serve them in halves. Don't toss the seeds, though! Just like you can with pumpkin, clean them off and roast the seeds for a perfect little snack. Cut the squash in half lengthwise, cutting through where the stem used to be.Īfter you have your squash open, use a spoon to scrape out the seeds. This will make a flat surface for it to stand on instead of dangerously rolling around on your cutting board. To make it easier, cut the stem off and place squash cut side down on your cutting board. The flesh also separates from the skin easily after roasting so if you don't prefer the skin it will be easier to separate after cooking. After roasting, the skin on the squash will be soft and edible so there's no need to worry about peeling it first. It can be dressed up either savory or sweet and served as individual halves for the cutest presentation. The squash is healthy and full of fiber plus, its size makes it far easier to cut open and work with. Both are great, but acorn squash would like to be noticed as well. When it comes to winter squash we usually focus on butternut squash and pumpkin.
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