Honey Glazed Squash Rings

Servings 6

Ingredients
3 (1 to 1 1/3 lb.) acorn squash (butternut squash can be used)
1/2 cup apple cider
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt

Step-by-step
1. Heat oven to 400°F. Line large rimmed baking sheet with foil; spray with cooking spray. Trim ends of squash; cut each squash crosswise into 6 rings. Remove seeds; trim edges cleanly. (A large round cookie cutter works well.) Arrange rings on baking sheet, overlapping slightly if necessary.

2. Bring cider to a boil in small saucepan over high heat; boil 3 to 4 minutes or until reduced to 1/4 cup. Remove from heat; whisk in all remaining ingredients. Lightly brush some of the mixture over squash.

3. Bake 20 minutes; lightly brush cider mixture over squash. Bake an additional 20 minutes or until squash is tender. Arrange squash on platter; drizzle with any remaining cider mixture.


** Variations - You can use butternut squash in place of the acorn squash. 

Squash & Brown Sugar

Ingredients
3 Acorn Squash about 1lb each
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 oz raisin
2 1/2 oz dark brown sugar
Ground nutmeg, pinch
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons chopped nuts

Step-by-step

1. Prepare a fire in a charcoal or gas grill
2. Scoop out the seeds from the squash halves. Place each half, cut side up, on a piece of heavy foil. Brush the cut slides with oil. Sprinkle raisins over the halves. Wrap securely in the foil. Cook on an uncovered grill directly over the heat until the squash is tender when pierced with a thin skewer, 40-50 minutes.
3. In a bowl, combine the brown sugar and nutmeg. Unwrap the squash on the grill. Sprinkle with the brown sugar-nutmeg mixture and dot with butter. Carefully rewrap. Cook for about 5 minutes more, until the brown sugar and butter melt.
4. Unwrap and serve, sprinkle with nuts.

Tips:

• You can use any small variety of sugar pumpkins or small hard-shelled squash. Butternuts is also great with this recipe. 
• Can be cooked in the oven using the same directions. Leave the foil open after adding the butter, brown sugar and nutmeg.