Winter Squash Recipe, Nutritional Value

Ingredients:

• One acorn squash cut into two halves
• 2 tablespoons each of firmly packed brown sugar and butter
• 2 teaspoons of hickory syrup, honey or even pure maple syrup
• Coarsely ground pepper and salt as per one’s preference

Preparation time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Directions & serving size:

• This recipe will yield a winter squash sufficient for 2 servings.
• Before preparing the squash, preheat the oven to 375F.
• While the oven is reaching the desired temperature cut the squash into two equal halves lengthwise from the stem right up to the end.
• Use a spoon to scoop out the stringy parts and the seeds that will be found in the center of both the squash halves.
• Once done, score the inside of each of the winter squashes with a relatively sharp knife.
• Then add just one tablespoon of butter and brown sugar each, and one teaspoon of honey.
• Add the pepper and salt into each half of the squash.
• Take a large baking pan and place both the halves of the squash into the pan. Add water in the pan up to ¼ inches so as to ensure that the skin of the squash does not burn and the squash also does not get completely burnt while baking.
• The squash should then be baked for approximately one hour till the flesh is soft and tender.
• Any sugary butter sauce that may have formed in the baking tray should then be spooned onto the squash.

Nutritional Value Per Serving

• Sodium: 2 mg
• Calories: 76
• Fat: 1g
• Fiber: 6 g

Health benefits:

• Winter squash is an excellent source of vitamin A which is present in the form of beta carotene.
  
• Beta carotene helps in fighting off free radicals that result in cancer and vitamin A is also required by the body for good vision. Also see health benefits of beta carotene

Tips and warnings:

The winter squash can also be customised as per ones preferences by adding some ground cinnamon, raisins, chopped nuts or any herbs.