Recipe Spotlight: Spicy Apple-Filled Squash

Fall is upon us.  With the changing leaves and cool breezes, cozy up this fall with a hearty squash dish.  Acorn squash and apples are in season this time of year and are easy to find at your local farmers' market.  This flavorful dish would be a delicious addition to your favorite holiday meals.  Plus, acorn squash and apples are filled with vitamins, minerals and fiber!

Spicy Apple-Filled Squash
Serves 4

Ingredients

1 acorn squash, washed
1 apple, washed, cut in half, cored, and chopped
2 teaspoons margarine, melted
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Dash of nutmeg, optional
Dash of ground cloves, optional
Cooking oil spray

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. 
2. Spray a 1-quart baking dish with cooking oil spray.
3. Cut squash in half.  Remove squash seeds from each half with a spoon.
4. Place squash (skin side up) in baking dish, cover with foil and put baking dish in oven for 30 minutes.
5. In a medium bowl, add apple, margarine, brown sugar, and spices.
6. Remove squash from oven.  Flip squash over, and fill with apple mixture.
7. Re-cover squash with foil, and bake 30 minutes more.

Try serving this recipe with whole grains like brown rice or barley.  

Gather all of your ingredients!

 Cut the acorn squash in half.  If you are having trouble cutting 

this safely, try piercing the squash skin with a fork and placing
it in the microwave on high heat for 1-2 minutes.

Remove the squash seeds with a spoon.

 

Place squash skin side up in a pan, cover with foil and place

in the oven too cook for 30 minutes.

While the squash is in the oven, measure out the brown sugar and spices.

After measuring out the butter and spices, combine these 

ingredients with the diced apples in a medium bowl.

 

Take squash out of the oven and flip over. Fill the cavity 

of the squash with the apple mixture.  Place back in oven for 30 minutes. 

Let cool for 10 minutes, then enjoy!