Fall is in the air and the temperatures and humidity is declining! With that comes fall food, including the ever-colorful, ever-healthy, acorn squash! Its many varieties are what food scientists call the Cucurbita family, which includes zucchini and pumpkin as well as butternut and, yes, acorn squash.
Acorn squash is a winter squash, so that means that it grows longer on the vine before the harvest. Because of this extra growing time, the skin turns harder, giving it a longer storage life. Interestingly enough, you can store it up to three months or even longer as long as if is stored in a cool, dry place!
One of the things we love about acorn squash is the fact that it can be used in sweet and in savory dishes! The taste of acorn squash itself is sweet and savory as well! The simplest way to cook it is to slice it in half or slice it in rings, drizzle with a cinnamon olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and roast in a steamer or regular oven. Another favorite way to make acorn squash is to stuff a half or quarter acorn squash with risotto, stuffing, or an apple/nut mixture. Onions or shallots with some sage also pair nicely with acorn squash. We also like making mashed acorn squash or cubing it and tossing it in with roasted Brussels sprouts and dried cranberries! Ooh, so delicious! Can’t you just taste it!?
Not only is acorn squash delicious, but it is loaded with nutrients, due to its deep dark color! Acorn squash is a great antioxidant-rich food that can help fight against harmful free radicals, as well as stimulate immunity, keep the blood thin which helps in overall health, especially cardiovascular and circulatory health, as well as cancer prevention.
Acorn squash, due to its dark yellow-orange color contains carotenoids which are “food” for the eyes, skin, heart, and immune system. One half-cup of cooked acorn squash contains 9% of the RDA for Vitamin A – this is where you get the alpha- and beta-carotenes.
As you know, we feel that it is best to try to get all of the nutrients you need from your food. Organic food does not contain harmful pesticides and chemicals which can reduce the health benefits of the food. Foods like acorn squash have a thick skin, so if you cannot find organic acorn squash, it is not as bad because the pesticides do not penetrate the thick skin.
Supplements are great – and we are strong proponents of them. However, including nutrient-dense foods regularly in your daily eating plans such as acorn squash helps reduce the need for supplementation. Let your medicine be your food and your food your medicine –Hippocrates