Every Thanksgiving my family has at least 5 different variations of sweet potatoes on the dinner table, including maple sweet potatoes which are so yummy. I wanted to try something a little different and made Maple Acorn Squash instead! Acorn squash has a yellow-orange flesh and has a light taste of hazelnut and pepper. They are rich in fiber, beta carotene, beautiful to look at, and are low in calories (but we make up for those calories with maple syrup and butter/margarine in this recipe! eeeek… its ok, its worth it!)

This recipe is so simple with minimal ingredients and is the perfect fall dish or side dish. I honestly think it tastes so much better the next day because the maple syrup really soaks into the flesh of the squash making it taste sweet and amazing. So you can definitely make this ahead of time. I used butter in this recipe but you can easily substitute it with margarine if you want to make this non-dairy and it is just as good!

Maple Roasted Acorn Squash

Serves: up to 8         Time: 55-60 minute

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2 (2-3lb) acorn squash, halved lengthwise and seeded

1/2 cup pure maple syrup

4 tablespoons butter, melted (or margarine if making non-dairy)

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon or nutmeg

1/2 cup brown sugar

Pre-heat oven to 425°F. Place squash halves, cut side down, in a baking dish and roast for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the maple syrup, melted butter, and cinnamon/nutmeg together. Keep a little of this maple syrup mixture on the side so you can add to the dish when you are ready to serve.

After 30 minutes, take squash out of the oven and flip them over. Pour the maple syrup mixture into the squash cavities and slightly around the rim of it. Place brown sugar on the rim edges of the squashes. Roast another 15-20 minutes in the oven until squash is tender.

Cut squash halves in half and serve with syrup mixture.

Enjoy and please share any comments or questions you may have. I would love to see how yours turns out! Make sure to tag me @lizskosherkitchen if you share it on social media so I can see your masterpiece!