Monday, October 26, 2009

Twice Cooked Acorn Squash

And here we are, at Monday again! I really enjoyed reading all of your comments on my post yesterday about the best parts of your weekend. Sounds like you all had lots of good stuff going on!

After the usual work, I ran home to let out Frank and then went to the gym. I did a two mile run and 1 mile walk on the treadmill and then took my friend Jennifer's 45 minute spin class. I also ran some errands (dry cleaners & kohl's to return a pair of Josh's pants). When I got home, I cleaned up our wood floors (VERY exciting...I know!)

Since Josh had a dinner meeting tonight, I made myself up some twice cooked acorn squash. Method as follows:
  • Bake up squash (cut in half and bake at 450 degrees for 1 hour or microwave for 13 minutes)
  • Scoop out some of the cooked squash (but not ALL of it, otherwise the "bowl" will not maintain its form)
  • In a bowl, mix your favorite toppings into the squash (I used salsa, green bell peppers and beans), top with cheese (shredded probably would have looked prettier but I used grated Parmesan
  • Place mixture back in "bowl"
  • Place under broiler for a few minutes (keep an eye on it so it doesn't burn)


I served mine with an apple and a little un-pictured nut butter


TOTALLY delicious.

Since you guys provided so many great yoga video ideas (thank you thank you), I have another question for you. Josh and I are trying to plan a trip. Initially, we were thinking of going to a couples resort in Jamaica but are now contemplating staying in the US. Potential ideas thrown around were Arizona, San Francisco, somewhere else in California, New Mexico. We would love to stay somewhere that either has a great fitness facility, hiking, or access to some other kind of healthy activity. We'd also prefer it to be warm-ish (or hot!) in the March/April time frame. Any suggestions?

47 comments:

kasondra said...

that squash looks amazing!!!
I think you should to go the Napali Cliffs in Hawaii on the island of Kauii (i don't know how it is spelled). check it out. it is amazing!!

P.S. thanks for reading my blog!

Mom on the Run said...

I had my first cooking encounter with acorn squash last night. It was so tasty. I love using it like a potato though. I am going to have to use this idea for next week's Sunday dinner :)

Rose said...

I vote San Fran!

I am swooning over the ingredients in that stuffed squash.

K from ksgoodeats said...

How fun!! Twice baked potatoes used to be one of my favorite dinner sides. This sounds even better!

My first instinct was going to tell you to visit Chicago (LOVES!!) but it's definitely not warm at that time of year. What about Colorado Springs? It's warm-ish then plus there's a lot of outdoor things you can do (i.e. Garden of the Gods).

PS. Our OC Housewives are coming back soon - so excited :)

Esi said...

Yum! That squash sounds so good. Kind of like a veggie version of that stuffed squash. Nice!

Lauren said...

Mmm, loved the twice baked squash. I do this with sweet potatoes all the time, but squash, DUH! That's brilliant.

Hmmm, I know that you are contimplating the US now, but how about joining my hubby and I on our Cruise to Greece and Italy in April next year? :)

Jessica said...

I love your acorn squash dish. You are so creative. I am not the best when it comes to traveling, but what a tour through wine country or something similar?

Sarah @ The Foodie Diaries said...

That squash looks so perfect; I may have to venture into microwave squash experimentation to recreate it!

Stephanie @ cookinfanatic said...

Dinner looks great! I think it would be fun to go to California, I love visiting there (southern) :) Or you could always go on a cruise, but guess that breaks the out of country criteria? however they are my fave ;) !

Britt said...

Dinner looks delish!

Vacations... I love vacations. I've always wanted to go to Monument Valley. It is so amazingly beautiful. I think hiking & biking there would be incredible.

Paige @ RAN said...

Your squashes always look fabulous. I'd recommend Hawaii! hehe - ok continental..
Actually I'd suggest San Diego. I've never been there, but my husband just got back, and said it was like the Hawaii of the continental US. Plus, I've never heard anything bad about it:D

Jenna said...

That squash looks out of this WORLD Erica! Wow, nice work!

Anonymous said...

YUM i have a little acorn squashie right in front of me! I have to try that...
I would look at Laguna Beach, CA- gorgeoussssss posh beach town with cute resorts/bed and breakfasts! Or San Diego..or one of my faves- Waikiki on Oahu! So much great hiking/snorkeling aaand it's hawaii ha so ya you are pretty much set :)

Maria said...

I vote UTAH! Southern Utah will be hot in the spring and it has the BEST hiking. The red rocks are beautiful. Either Zions National Park or Moab. Then you can head up to SLC To stay with us:)

Pam said...

Devishly look'in good! Yum!

Happy Halloween...he he!

Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

That looks like such a cozy and nom nom little dinner Erica!
I can't think of anywhere warm that time of year unfort. Oregonian mindset. BUT I think it's so sweet and awesome that ya'll are planning a trip together. I can't wait to hear what you decide :)

Lizzy said...

acorn squash is the best! i have some squash in the house that needs to be used up asap!

Anna said...

I should tell my mom about the twice baked squash, because she made acorn squash last week but didn't like it, but that looks like it has some really fun flavor combos going on!

I have been to the Rockies in CO and the Berkshires in MA several times during the summer over the past few years and they are so lovely, but unfortunately I'm not sure how they are in early spring...

Alison Can Read said...

You could go to AZ - either Phx, Tucson, or Sedona. A cruise would be fun too - we spend a lot of time in the gym on the boat.

Anne said...

The stuffed squash looks delicious! What a perfect Fall meal. Sedona, AZ is really pretty. I wouldn't go to Tempe or Phoenix, though. That's where I am now and there's nothing special about it. It's kinda gross. So pick Sedona if you go to AZ--trust me, it'll be hot in April/May! lol And Sedona has lots of hiking with all the pretty mountains

Holly said...

This makes me want to cook up my acorn squash for tomorrow! And I think I will.

Vacays are sooo fun to plan! My sister and BIL are very, very active and just went to Arizona in the spring. It was warm and there are LOTS of hiking trails/active things to do. San Fran is beautiful, too, but I'm not sure how warm it would be in the spring? So. Cal. would definitely be warmer! Oooh - maybe San Diego? There are SO many things to do there! So exciting!

Molly said...

My favorite vacation spot is the Fiesta Americana in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It has a great work-out facility, a great spa, a great beach, and a lot of great pools. It's also beautiful with great service.
And you get lots of compliments...I would run past the front of the hotel every morning, and there was a guy who worked in the front who would cheer for me. Every day, a few other people would be standing out there until five days later, a whole crowd was standing watching me run by and cheering.
I later found out that the first man had assumed I was a professional American runner, so the staff had come out to watch me and cheer me on! Haha gotta love flattery...

insideiamdancing said...

That squash looks delish!

No idea where it is or what the climate is like, but I've always wanted to go hiking in the Grand Canyon!

Yum Yucky said...

Well it looks scary delicious. But let me explain: I'd cautiously step towards it (scary) and then dig my chompers in for more (delicious).

Unknown said...

what a FAB idea with the twice baked squash!! I mean, you can do it with potatoes why not with squash! it looks great!

I would vote new mexico!! I have heard amazing things about some of the resorts there and so much to do. also, it is very mountainous so I am sure you could get some great hiking done!

Abby (Abby Vegan Eats) said...

WOW super great dinner.. love acorn squash!!!
How cool that you guys are going on a vaca soon.. Im jealous.. My bro used to live in Tempeh AZ and we did the whole camping etc Saquaro National Forest. You gotta like the heat though (at least during the day). A big city would be great, though, as well.. ALWAYS super restaurants in urban areas!

Ashley Lauren said...

I've always wanted to go to Palm Springs and stay at the Viceroy....or what about the Keys? You could go snorkeling and biking. My husband and I are actually going to Charleston for our anniversary the first week of April, haha. He's lived in the south his entire life and never been, can you believe it?

CaSaundraLeigh said...

Oo yay for more stuffed goodness! This looks amazing! I love acorn squash. I usually steam it with some maple syrup and take it for a side dish for lunches.

Julie said...

NEW YORRRRRRRRRRRK!!! hahaha it wouldn't be the nicest weather but it IS the best place in the world haha

I went to AZ a few years back and it was gorgy. We even went to Sedona and that was awesome too. But it's perrrty hot there!

I Run for Fun said...

That looks sooo mouthwatering. You are a super-cook!

I'd love to visit San Fran, but temps could be in the high 50s, low 60s in March-April, no? I vote for Sedona, AZ or Hawaii.

RunToTheFinish said...

I am finishing up some spaghetti squash, after that time for some acorn cause you make it look awesome!!

the strange thing is that jamaica all-inclusive may be cheaper than staying in the US. we loveeeeed jamiaca there is so much to do

Krista said...

I love that acorn squash! Great idea, Erica!

Therese said...

I'm of no help...I've only been to the west coast once and it was to play in Vegas!

So many fun uses for squash! I have yet to try a fall themed meal like that, but with it still close to the 90's in Florida I just have no desire...

Unknown said...

i really think you can go anywhere and find things to do that are active! i didn't know anything before going to AZ, but just started googling to find hiking spots, etc

Children of the 90s said...

This looks amazing! It gives me such a craving for squash.

Dawn (HealthySDLiving) said...

Omg that looks incredible!

And San Diego of course!!! :) So beautiful all year long!

Unknown said...

i couldn't find your email, but we stayed at the scottsdale links resort. it was nice, but i wouldn't necessarily go there again. more geared to be family-friendly. sedona is a 2hr drive from there, the grand canyon a bit further. both excellent day trips. perhaps going somewhere closer to there would be better. i'm sure the hiking in sedona is amazing! next time :)

RunToTheFinish said...

You know i went to jamaica a long time ago so I can't remember exactly what hotel. but we went through FunJet which is a great way to do it.

Not sure about miami hotels...i hear there are fun ones, but I've only been here 2 weeks!

Anonymous said...

sounds like the perfect fall lunch!

Ashley Lauren said...

That would be fun! I'll let you know when we know what days we will be there :)

Leah @ L4L said...

That looks phenomenal!

Hm... We are planning on Puerto Vallarta for our honeymoon. We thought about staying in the US and doing a wine tour through Napa, or maybe going to Key West.

Juliana said...

Wow, this is nice...can you believe that I never cooked acorn squash? Now it is a MUST :-)

Cat said...

If you're looking for warm, San Francisco in March or April is definitely not a safe bet! I live here ;) If the stars align, you could maybe get weather in the 60s or 70s, but you can never count on it!

If you're looking for adventure, Costa Rica is a great place to go. It's built for healthy adventure and plane fares are typically reasonable $600 or below.

Anonymous said...

I tried acorn squash for the first time today....it was awesome!!!

homecookedem said...

Hi! Just found your blog and it looks great!! That twice cooked squash looks so amazing!! :) Can't wait to try this!!

Anonymous said...

YUM! I actually have a similar thing in the oven right now!

Jenna said...

I have to try the squash idea! Thanks!