Sweeten Up Your Plate with Our Orange Glazed Acorn Squash Rings
A healthy and unique side dish with a citrus glaze.
Looking for a fun new side dish or snack? These orange glazed acorn squash rings will be your new best friend! If you look around Google, you’ll probably find a bunch of similar recipes that include the fryer. But that takes away from the healthy upside of this recipe, and frankly, I don’t think that’s necessary—especially because the baked version is so darn delicious. Why ruin an already flavorful and healthy thing, right?
Seriously, these squash rings are next level! Ever since I discovered how versatile acorn squash is, I can’t stop thinking of new and improved ways to serve it. But this one might just take the cake. Most other acorn squash recipes can be labor-intensive, as well as meant for an entire meal. Sometimes, you just want something to snack on that isn’t from the pantry, and I think I’ve discovered something with this one!
Incredible Benefits of Acorn Squash!
Not only is acorn squash perfectly sweet, but it’s also loaded with health benefits. It can help boost your immune system, protect your skin, improve your vision, regulate blood sugar and cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, improve circulation, and so much more. The list goes on and on!
That’s because acorn squash has a diverse range of nutrients. From Vitamin A & C to B-family Vitamins, thiamine, pantothenic acids, and minerals such as iron, copper, potassium, and magnesium—the list doesn’t seem to stop. All those minerals aid in building strong bones now and into our later years.
Just make sure you don’t fill up on these tasty morsels, because they do have a higher carbohydrate content. While they don’t contain simple sugars, they still have calories. This is why we recommend serving them as a side to your favorite lean protein!
Tips for Making Orange Glazed Acorn Squash Rings
- Before cutting your acorn squash into rings, you want to cut it in half to remove the seeds and guts.
- You can put the slices directly on the baking sheet after spraying it with non-stick spray, but I prefer to lay down parchment paper to ensure they don’t stick.
- While those are baking for 15 minutes on each side at 400 degrees, combine your no added sugar orange juice, honey, cinnamon, and allspice into a small saucepan. Then boil the glaze mixture and reduce to a simmer.
- Once the juice has reduced by about half, brush your acorn squash slices with the glaze and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes. The best way to serve these is hot, but it’s up to you how you like them!
What to Serve with Acorn Squash Rings
Because of the little bit of sweetness in these acorn squash rings, I try to avoid more sweet things on the plate. But other than that, I’ve pretty much served them with every kind of main dish. I try to keep the plate healthy by going with something like an avocado tuna salad. That way, you get the warm sweetness from the glazed acorn squash rings and the cold freshness from the salad. Or, you can keep it simple and serve them along side some grilled chicken or steak. But whatever you choose to serve them with (or don’t serve them with), you’re more than likely to come back for more!
- 2 acorn squash cut into 1 inch rings
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups orange juice no sugar added
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon ground all spice
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray.
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Place the sliced acorn squash rings on the prepared baking sheet. Brush with olive oil and season with salt. Bake for 15 minutes.
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Remove the squash from the oven and turn over the squash, do this gently. Bake for another 15 minutes.
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While the squash is baking, combine the remaining ingredients in a small sauce pan. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer.
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Simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes or until the orange juice is reduced by half.
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Brush the orange juice glaze over the squash. Bake for another 5 to 10 minutes. Serve hot.
SmartPoints (Freestyle): 6
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