Introduction
🍁🍽️ Dive into fall flavors with our Maple-Glazed Acorn Squash with Sausage, Apple, and Sage! This dish is a cozy hug for your taste buds, perfect for a delightful dinner side or main event!
Detailed Ingredients with measures
- For the Acorn Squash:
- 1 acorn squash, halved and seeded
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- For the Maple Glaze:
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- For the Filling:
- 1 pound ground sausage (your choice of sweet or spicy)
- 1 medium apple, diced
- 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
Preparation Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Brush acorn squash halves with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and place cut side down on a baking sheet. Roast for 20-25 minutes, until tender.
3. In a skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until browned. Add diced apple, onion, and sage, and sauté until the apple is tender.
4. Deglaze the skillet with chicken broth, stirring to combine, and remove from heat.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar for the glaze.
6. Flip roasted squash halves cut side up, and drizzle with maple glaze.
7. Fill squash halves with the sausage mixture and return to the oven for 10 minutes, letting those flavors mingle and shine.
8. Serve warm and enjoy the savory-sweet goodness!
Nutritional Information
Each serving is packed with flavor and approximately:
Calories: 310 kcal
Protein: 12g
Carbohydrates: 27g
Fat: 17g
Fiber: 3g
Detailed Directions and Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Step 2: Prepare the Acorn Squash
Brush the cut sides of the acorn squash halves with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper to taste. Place them cut side down on a baking sheet. Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the squash is tender.
Step 3: Cook the Sausage
While the squash is roasting, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 pound of ground sausage and cook until browned.
Step 4: Add Apple, Onion, and Sage
Once the sausage is browned, add 1 medium diced apple, 1/4 cup finely chopped onion, and 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh sage to the skillet. Sauté until the apple is tender, about 3-5 minutes.
Step 5: Deglaze the Skillet
Pour in 1/4 cup of chicken broth to deglaze the skillet, scraping up any browned bits. Stir to combine the mixture and then remove from heat.
Step 6: Prepare the Maple Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of maple syrup, 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar until well blended.
Step 7: Assemble the Squash
Once the acorn squash has finished roasting, carefully flip the halves cut side up. Drizzle the maple glaze generously over each half.
Step 8: Fill and Return to Oven
Spoon the sausage mixture generously into each squash half, filling them up. Return the stuffed squash to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to mingle and shine.
Step 9: Serve
Remove from the oven and serve warm. Enjoy the savory-sweet goodness of your Maple-Glazed Acorn Squash!
Notes
Serving Suggestions
This dish can be served as a delightful main course or as a hearty side dish alongside your favorite proteins.
Storage
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
Variations
Feel free to customize the filling by adding other ingredients like chopped nuts for crunch or different spices for extra warmth.
Cook techniques
Roasting
Roasting the acorn squash allows it to develop a natural sweetness and tender texture. Cooking it cut side down helps steam the flesh, making it easier to scoop out the filling later.
Sautéing
Sautéing the sausage, apples, onions, and sage in a skillet enhances their flavors, allowing them to meld together before being stuffed into the roasted squash.
Deglazing
Deglazing the skillet with chicken broth helps incorporate the flavorful bits stuck to the pan, adding depth to the filling.
Glazing
Whisking together maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar creates a luscious glaze that complements the savory filling with a hint of sweetness.
Baking
Returning the stuffed squash to the oven allows the flavors to meld together even more, ensuring a harmonious balance of savory and sweet.
FAQ
Can I use a different type of squash?
Yes, you can use other varieties of squash, such as butternut or spaghetti squash, but keep in mind that cooking times may vary.
What can I substitute for ground sausage?
You can substitute ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based sausage for a lighter or vegetarian option.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
Replace the sausage with a mixture of mushrooms and additional vegetables or vegetarian sausage for a hearty filling.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can roast the squash and prepare the filling ahead of time. Assemble and bake just before serving for the best results.
What sides pair well with this dish?
Consider serving a simple green salad or crusty bread to complement the flavors of the maple-glazed acorn squash.
Conclusion
This Maple-Glazed Acorn Squash dish combines comforting fall flavors that are sure to impress at any meal, blending sweetness with savory goodness for a truly delightful experience.
