Description
This Honey Glazed Acorn Squash with Goat Cheese recipe offers a delightful blend of sweet, savory, and creamy flavors. Roasted to tender perfection and enhanced with a honey glaze, the acorn squash is complemented by the rich texture of creamy goat cheese and a tangy cranberry sauce finish, making it an irresistible autumnal side dish or light main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Acorn Squash
- 2 small acorn squashes, halved and seeds removed
- 2 tbsp olive oil, for brushing
- 2 tbsp honey, for glazing
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Fillings and Garnish
- 120 grams creamy goat cheese (alternatives: whipped ricotta or mascarpone)
- 60 ml cranberry sauce or compote (homemade recommended for freshness)
- Fresh thyme or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for roasting the squash evenly.
- Prepare Squash: Halve the acorn squashes lengthwise and scoop out the seeds carefully to create cavities for roasting and filling.
- Glaze and Season: Brush the cut sides of the squashes evenly with olive oil and then honey. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper for balanced flavor.
- Roast Squash: Place the squash halves cut side up on a baking tray. Roast in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until the flesh becomes fork-tender and caramelizes along the edges.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the roasted squash from the oven and allow it to cool briefly to make it easier to handle and to avoid melting the cheese too much when filling.
- Fill with Cheese: Spoon creamy goat cheese into the cavities of each squash half, distributing it evenly for a creamy contrast to the sweet squash.
- Finish and Garnish: Drizzle cranberry sauce over the cheese-filled squash halves and garnish with fresh thyme or parsley to add a fresh herbal note and visual appeal before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute goat cheese with whipped ricotta or mascarpone for a milder flavor.
- Homemade cranberry compote enhances freshness and allows you to adjust sweetness.
- Try adding a sprinkle of toasted nuts for added texture and flavor contrast.
- If you prefer a vegan version, replace goat cheese with a plant-based cheese alternative and ensure honey is replaced with maple syrup or agave nectar.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and gently reheated in the oven.
