Fruited Baked Squash

Transform your dinner table into a celebration of autumnal flavors with this Fruited Baked Squash recipe! Featuring tender roasted butternut squash halves filled with a delightful medley of dried cranberries, raisins, diced apple, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, this dish is both comforting and irresistibly sweet. A touch of orange juice creates a luscious caramelized glaze, while optional pecans add a satisfying crunch. Perfect as a holiday side dish or a light vegetarian entrée, this recipe captures the essence of cozy fall cooking in just under an hour. Serve it warm and watch as the blend of sweet and savory flavors steals the spotlight!

Nutriscore Rating: 81/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 medium-sized butternut squash
• 0.5 cup dried cranberries
• 0.5 cup raisins
• 1 apple (medium, peeled, cored, and diced)
• 0.25 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons butter (melted)
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cup orange juice
• 0.25 cup pecans (chopped, optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Carefully cut the butternut squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Place cut-side up in a baking dish.

Step 3

In a small mixing bowl, combine the dried cranberries, raisins, diced apple, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt.

Step 4

Drizzle the melted butter over the fruit mixture and stir to combine.

Step 5

Divide the fruit mixture evenly into the hollow cavities of the squash halves.

Step 6

Pour the orange juice into the bottom of the baking dish to create steam during baking and prevent the squash from drying out.

Step 7

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Step 8

Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, or until the squash is fork-tender and the fruit filling is bubbly and caramelized.

Step 9

If using pecans, sprinkle them on top of the fruit filling during the last 5 minutes of baking.

Step 10

Remove the squash from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Step 11

To serve, scoop the fruit filling and squash flesh together for a sweet and savory bite.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1826.3 grams (1826.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1668

Total Fat 45.30g	58%
Saturated Fat 16.80g	84%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.10g
Cholesterol 62mg	21%
Sodium 704mg	31%
Total Carbohydrate 328.00g	119%
Dietary Fiber 59.30g	212%
Total Sugars 182.40g
Protein 19.60g	39%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 713mg	55%
Iron 11mg	62%
Potassium 5011mg	107%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 22.7%

Protein: 4.4%

Carbs: 73.0%