Basic Baked Squash

This is one of the simplest recipes for squash, and the one that appears most often in our holiday table. Our favorite combo is buttercup, butternut, and acorn, but you can use any type of winter squash. Be sure to test the smaller varieties for doneness first.

This basic mash can be sweetened with honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar and enjoyed as a side, or (unsweetened) added to soups, breads, cakes, and casseroles for a boost of beta carotene.

1.  Preheat oven to 350.

2. Cut squash in half, and scoop out seeds (save these to bake later if you’d like). Place on a cookie sheet cut side up. Put cookie sheet in preheated oven. Add ½ cup water to pan. Bake for 30-60 minutes, until fork-tender.

3. Allow squash to cool, then scoop into a large bowl. Mash to desired consistency. Reserve for other recipes, or season with salt and pepper, butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey. Ground ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg are popular additions too.