RECIPE ACORN RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Grease a baking sheet and a baking dish.
• Halve the squash lengthwise and clean.
• Transfer the squash, cut side down, to the baking sheet, and bake the squash until it is tender, about 45 minutes.
• Don't turn off the oven.
• While the squash cooks, melt the butter, and stir in the remaining ingredients.
• Keep the mixture warm until it is needed.
• Arrange the squash, cut sides up, in the baking dish.
• Spoon the butter and seasonings equally over the sections.
• Bake the squash another 15 minutes, until it is very soft.
• Serve the squash hot.

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven; preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Cut each squash in half lengthwise and scoop out and discard the seeds. Arrange the halves in a large baking dish, flesh-side up.
• Whisk together the vinegar, 2 tablespoons of the oil and the maple syrup in a cup. Brush the flesh side of the squash halves with some of the maple mixture and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Put the squash flesh-side down in the baking dish, then brush the skin side with maple mixture and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Roast until the squash is fork-tender, 50 to 60 minutes. Poke the inside of the squash halves with a fork and brush generously with more of the maple mixture.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden brown, about 6 minutes. Add the quinoa, curry powder, cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon salt and stir until the spices are toasted, about 1 minute. Add 2 cups water and bring to a simmer. Lower the heat, cover the pan and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the quinoa is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, 20 to 24 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Uncover and stir in the cranberries, remaining maple mixture, half of the parsley and half of the pistachios.
• Stuff the squash halves with the quinoa and sprinkle with the remaining parsley and pistachios. Serve warm or at room temperature.