Baked acorn squash slices is a simple recipe that can be made in under an hour. Want to get the most nutrition with the least amount of stress? Try this three-ingredient roasted acorn squash recipe on for size. It features one of my fall favorite vegetables. It is the best thing to try when you’re craving something sweet.
Baked Acorn Squash Slices An Easy Way to Love Squash
During the fall and winter, I love making roasted veggies. I have been experimenting with all types of squash and acorn squash has become one of my go-to squashes. It is not only for its taste but for the convenience and ease of cooking.
Acorn squash is a versatile veggie. It can be baked, roasted, mashed, or stewed.
Some acorn squash recipes will call for sweeteners like honey, brown sugar, and maple syrup. Sweeteners make veggies taste good, but too much sugar can be not the best thing for your diet. Especially if you are already prone to stress.
This is because high sugar intake can elevate the stress response which may cause more problems in the long run. Especially if you are someone prone to stress.
Veggies can be flavored with all kinds of spices. Some of my favorites include garlic, ground black pepper, and cinnamon which is featured in this recipe.
If you are looking for a sweet taste without all the sugar, cinnamon is a great substitute.
Jump to RecipeAcorn Squash is a Stress Relieving Food
Acorn squash is a nutritious food that can help with stress relief. It is a great source of the following vitamins and minerals:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Thiamin (vitamin B1)
- Pyridoxine (vitamin B6)
- Calcium
- Copper
- Fiber
- Folate
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Potassium
Stress affects the health of the gut. Incorporating fiber-rich foods like acorn squash can improve the microbiome and help fight against stress-induced gut damage.
In addition to these nutrients, acorn squash provides a host of antioxidants. Its orange-yellow color shows it is rich in carotenoids. These compounds have been found to lower oxidative stress in the body.
Cinnamon is a Stress Relieving Food
Cinnamon is a great must-have in your spice cabinet. This food not only provides flavor but a host of nutrition. It has antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects that make it a great food for helping to calm stress in the body.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a Stress Relieving Food
Extra virgin olive oil contains compounds that have been found to decrease anxiety while increasing dopamine. This neurotransmitter is responsible for a happy and positive mood.
Jump to RecipeHow to Make Baked Acorn Squash Slices
This section talks all about how to prepare your winter squash. This vegetable is pretty easy to prepare. The acorn squash skin becomes soft when you cook it so there is no need to peel it off.
De-Seed and De-pulp The Acorn Squash
Like most squashes, you will need to de-seed it and get all the pulp out. The easiest way to do this is to cut off the top and bottom ends of the squash. This will give you a flat surface to work on. After cutting the top and bottom off you want to turn it on its side so you can cut it into rings.
For now just cut one or two slices until you get to the center where most of the pulp and seeds are found. You can scoop out the pulp and seeds with a spoon or ice cream scooper. Sometimes I will need to use a pairing knife to cut the pulp from the squash.
Cutting a squash can be easy with a good sturdy knife.
Once you have all the seeds and pulp out you can then proceed to cut the remaining squash into ring sized pieces
Prep the Acorn Squash Slices for the Oven
Next, take your baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. If you do not have parchment paper you can skip this step and just place the rings on the baking sheet.
Top the Rings with Olive Oil and Cinnamon
Brush the extra virgin olive oil on each of the rings until they are completely covered with oil. I like to brush the oil on both sides so it gets a cooked
The last ingredient used in this recipe is cinnamon. I like to use a lot of this spice and will douse my veggies until completely covered. I then will turn them over and sprinkle the other side until both sides of the rings are well covered.
The acorn squash rings are ready for the oven. Now all you need to do is cook them for about 45 minutes and you can soon enjoy a sweet veggie treat.
Equipment Used in This Recipe
Baked Acorn Squash Slices with Cinnamon
Ingredients
- 1 Acorn squash cut into slices
- 2 tsp Cinnamon
- 2 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside
- Using a strong sturdy knife cut off the top and bottom of the squash
- Proceeed to cut a ring slice off one end of the squash until you have reached the inside pulp and seeds
- Take an ice cream scoop and scoop out the seeds
- Put the squash rings on a baking sheet
- Place the olive oil in a dish
- Take a basting brush and brush the acorn squash rings with olive oil until well coated
- Drizzle cinnamon on top of the rings
- Place the squash in the oven and cook for 40-45 minutes or until soft
- Serve
Notes
Nutrition
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