Roasted Brown Sugar Acorn Squash

Brown sugar and butter fuel this delicious, fall-inspired side dish. This roasted brown sugar acorn squash recipe hits those sweet and savory notes that are so craveable.

Roasting an acorn squash brings out it’s natural sweetness, and topping it with brown sugar and a little butter with warm fall spices almost makes you feel like you’re eating a dessert. This makes a perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas and pairs so well with just about any main dish.

The Biggest Pumpkin

I gave my pumpkin warm milk every single week for many, many weeks in a row because I’d heard that was the secret to growing the biggest, best pumpkin Vancouver Washington had ever seen.

Months of padding through the slowly drying out grass, stopping to see how much produce was growing (aka sneaking raspberries as fast as Mom could can them) had brought me to the reality that my pumpkin was in need of saving.

And I tried. I really did. But in the end, one pumpkin bit the dust while the other looked exactly the same as all my siblings. I don’t remember where I’d heard the tip or why I was so dertermined to make it happen, but looking back I can see that while nothing good came of it, nothing bad did either. I’m trying hard this year to remember that the tips we get for growing a successful garden may not always produce blue ribbon winners, but it did create the desire to see something through.

One good thing did come of the garden my parents planted. Acorn squash to the rescue.

While my little plant didn’t grow up extra ginormous, it did help me to embrace new foods and this is one of them. All these years later and I can sill remember the feel of mashing my little helping of acorn squash, loaded with butter and brown sugar and listening for the sound of the garage door shutting which meant it was time to eat!

Ingredients for Roasted Acorn Squash

The ingredients for this recipe are few and simple which is exactly how a side dish should be! Here is what you will need:

• Acorn Squash: any size will work just fine for this recipe
• Olive Oil: used to keep the squash from sticking to the pan and to help caramelize
• Salt and Pepper: used to season the squash as it roasts
• Butter: adds flavor and helps brown and caramelize the squash
• Dark Brown Sugar: adds sweetness and rich flavor
• Kosher Salt: cuts through the sweetness and enhances all the flavors
• Cinnamon: adds flavor and warmth to the dish
• Cardamom: adds flavor and that signature fall taste

Keep scrolling down to see the measurements needed for each ingredient. All the details are contained in the recipe card where you can also print or save the recipe.

How to Cut Acorn Squash

Cutting an acorn squash, or any kind of squash, can get more exciting than it needs to be. Let’s keep all our digits and do it the right way!

Be sure you are using a sharp knife. Lay the squash on its side on a cutting board

Cheesy Basil Roasted Vegetables [+Video]

This easy and delicious recipe combines the savory flavors of cheese and basil with roasted vegetables for a satisfying and nutritious meal. Perfect for those end of summer veggies!

One of the hardest parts about cooking dinner during the summer is always turning on the oven. No one wants to do it. Am I right? I totally understand and I hear you, I do, but now I’m going to ask you to do just that because this cheesy basil vegetables side dish is so worth it. Roasted vegetables always are.

We had a few veggies that needed to be used up, but more importantly our basil was in it’s last few days of life and so I thought I would try my hand at a quick and easy veggie dish that you all can serve. We looooooved it.

How to Make Roasted Summer Vegetables Video

This is so easy and you can definitely use fresh or dried basil which means that this recipe is one you can make all year round. I know your guests will love it once Thanksgiving hits too. I know, let’s not even talk about that yet, but it’s true. It will be here before we know it!

Ingredients for Roasted Summer Veggies

Roasted vegetables are my favorite kind of vegetables! And keeping them simple is the best way to go. All you need is a few simple ingredients to make this tasty vegetables side dish. Here is what you need:

• Vegetables: Carrots, Zucchini, and Yellow Squash
• Cheese: Mozzarella Cheese and Parmesan Cheese
• Flavor: Basil and Garlic
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper

The measurements and details for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

How to Make Cheesy Basil Roasted Vegetables

Your first step will be to slice up your veggies, then toss them with the rest of the ingredients saving a little of the basil and cheeses for later. Then roast it all up in the oven. The last few minutes top with the additional cheese and then sprinkle the last of the basil on before serving. If it’s winter and you don’t have fresh basil you can garnish with a little parsley. Booyah!

Are Vegetables Hard to Digest?

Some vegetables such as

Holiday Acorn Squash Recipe

This acorn squash recipe is a sweet and savory holiday side dish featuring roasted acorn squash. Toss with herbs and spices, then roast until tender. Finish the dish with pomegranate seeds, feta cheese, and toasted pumpkin seeds. Season with extra virgin olive oil and maple syrup.

Cade says that is the best side dish I’ve ever made. And that is saying something, because we have some great ones here on the blog (I’m thinking of you, homemade focaccia and gruyere sweet potato stacks!)! This acorn squash recipe is both Thanksgiving and Christmas worthy! You’re going to LOVE it!

Recommended Equipment

• Sharp Knives
• Baking Sheet

Before You Begin…

You’ll want to start by toasting the pepitas (pumpkin seeds)! This adds such a delicious nutty flavor and crunchy texture.

Ingredients for Holiday Acorn Squash

Okay, this ingredients list is going to look a bit daunting at first glance, but don’t run away! Many of the ingredients are seasonings that you’ll already have. Here is what you will need:

For the Pepitas

• Pumpkin Seeds: also known as pepitas
• Olive Oil: helps toast the pumpkin seeds
• Seasonings: Salt, Pepper, Smoked Paprika, and Chili Powder

For the Squash

• Acorn Squash: If you’re not a fan of acorn squash, you can use butternut or honeynut.
• Pure Maple Syrup: You want the real deal here, no imitation pancake syrup!
• Orange: We will use the juice and zest for a pop of fresh citrus flavor.
• Butter: helps the acorn roast and get golden and caramelized
• Seasonings: Ground Cinnamon, Fresh Ginger, Smoked Paprika, and Cardamom Powder

• Pomegranate: You can extract the seeds yourself from a pomegranate (see section below) or just buy pomegranate seeds.
• Brown Sugar: adds sweetness and rich flavor
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: used to toast and crisp the sage leaves
• Sage Leaves: adds flavor and crunch
• Thyme: used as garnish for the squash and adds fresh herby flavor
• Kosher Salt: adds flavor
• Feta: You can use goat cheese instead or omit the cheese if you want.

The measurements for all the ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

What are Pomegranate Arils?

Pomegranate arils are the clear red seed pod in the pomegranate. They are tart and give you a nice pop of juice and flavor

The sweet crunch of summer corn and crisp slices of zucchini are brightened with a zesty dressing in this Zucchini Corn Salad.

Raw Corn Salad

Many years ago, it was this salad that was one of my first experiences with raw corn. I saw a recipe for raw corn salad in a magazine, did a double take, and had to try it. If you’ve never experienced this vegetable raw, I recommend it!

I love the different flavors of the raw zucchini and corn. With a very light lime vinaigrette, it becomes such a fresh-tasting salad for the summer months. I make it at least once a year when corn is in season.

Zucchini Corn Salad

You might be skeptical of having raw zucchini in your salad. But, trust me on this pairing. The flavors, textures, and colors are all so well balanced. It just works!

Who can deny that the taste of fresh-picked, ripe vegetables is better than vegetables that have been on store shelves for a while? I don’t limit myself to shopping seasonal produce, but this zucchini corn salad does make the most of summer’s vegetables. So, you’ll get to enjoy them while both are at their best.

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this recipe:

• fresh corn on the cob
• zucchini
• lime juice
• olive oil
• fresh cilantro
• salt and pepper

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Sweet onions, fresh zucchini, and grilled corn along with a bit of chicken and plenty of melting cheese made these some of the best vegetable quesadillas that I have made recently.

Zucchini Quesadilla

Gooey cheese quesadillas have been a classic dinner item in our house for years now, but I’m always looking for ways to change things up.

These quesadillas combine the flavorful pop of fresh zucchini, sweet onions, hearty grilled corn, and (if desired) chicken to create a game-changing mix of flavors.

Vegetable Quesadilla

With only a few minutes of effort, these quesadillas come together easily. All you’ll need to cook this easy dinner recipe is a skillet, a spatula, and a few minutes on the stove.

Because the time required to prep and cook these quesadillas is so short, this is a great recipe to make in bulk. Leftover quesadillas are an easy (and common!) meal option in my house, and we always keep the ingredients at hand in case we need a last minute dinner plan.

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