How to Cook Acorn Squash

Here is a seasonal vegetable that is delicious and so easy to prepare.

Baked Acorn Squash

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

1 medium acorn squash, halved and seeded

1 tablespoon butter

2 tablespoons brown sugar

Baking pan

Step 1:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Step 2:

Use a paring knife to score the insides of each half several times.

Add 1/4 inch of water to the bottom of the baking pan.

Step 3:

Coat the inside of the two halves of squash with 1/2 tablespoon butter

and 1 tablespoon brown sugar. Place each half into the baking pan, flesh side UP.

Step 4:

Bake squash for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until squash is soft and tops are browned. Spoon sauce which has not been absorbed over exposed areas.

Slice and enjoy!

This is a great substitute for potatoes with a meal!


Acorn squash contains magnesium, potassium, vitamins C and A, and calcium.


An entire acorn squash only contains 172 calories!


Alone, a whole acorn squash contains less than 1 mg of fat.


Acorn squash is at it's peak in fall through winter, but can usually be found in the grocery store year round.


Store an acorn squash in the refrigerator for up to a week when placed in a paper bag

Don't like spinach? There are 8 Benefits to include it in your diet

8 Benefits of Spinach: The First Superfood

Spinach was a powerfood even before there was the term powerfood.

8 Benefits of Spinach:

1. Loaded with Vitamins: like A, K, D, and E and a host of trace minerals.

2. Good Source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids: the kind most of us need in North America.

3. Anti-Cancer and Anti-Inflammatory Antioxidants: Researchers have identified more than a dozen different flavonoid compounds in spinach that function as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents. In a recent study on the relationship between risk of prostate cancer and vegetable intake (including such healthy vegetables as broccoli, cabbage, and brussel sprouts) only spinach showed evidence of significant protection against the occurrence of aggressive prostate cancer.

4. Alkalizes the Body: All those minerals helps to balance off the highly acid diet which most of us subject our bodies to and which drains our energy, increases obesity and a creates host of other health problems.

5. Nourishes the Eyes: The carotenoids found in spinach protect against eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration.

6. Strengthens the Bones: One cup of fresh spinach (or 1/6 cup of cooked spinach) contains TWICE your daily vitamin K needs. This along with the calcium and magnesium in spinach is essential to maintain healthy bones.

7. Perfect for Green Smoothies and Salads: Organic pre-washed spinach is now readily available in most grocery stores. If you haven’t yet tried a green smoothie yet and think they might taste yucky then try one with the main ingredient as spinach. Spinach is so sweet, we guarantee you will be impressed.

8. Spinach is FRESH! Studies have shown that even the artificial light in the grocery store shining on those plastic tubs of spinach can actually help keep the leaves from spoiling. This indicates the spinach is still metabolically active and fresh.

by Diana Herrington