These vegan-friendly Roasted Acorn Squash Slices with Cranberry Sauce are sweetened with maple syrup, make an easy side dish, and are perfect for fall!  

Three years ago, I went a little crazy with winter squash.  I was newly married, on an extra-tight budget, and suddenly realized how miraculously wonderful (and CHEAP) these fall and winter treats are.  In fact– I went a little TOO crazy over winter squash, and after weeks and weeks of “squash-only” meals, I decided I was tired of my newest favorite… and stopped buying them.

Happily, I’m once again craving these healthy veggies– and have been gleefully scooping up squash after squash, and skipping my way out of the grocery store with armfuls of butternut, spaghetti, and of course, acorn squash.

This recipe for Roasted Acorn Squash Slices with Cranberry Sauce is EASY– with only a few minutes of actual “work.”  Most of the time is spent waiting on the acorn squash to slowly roast in the oven, and you can spend that time sighing happily, because your kitchen will smell AMAZING.

How to Cut an Acorn Squash

First things first, you’ll have to cut open your squash.  This is the hardest part– because like most winter squash, acorn squash are HARD AS… Acorns.  (Bahahaha… They’re also hard as rocks.)  Don’t worry, though– you’ve got this!

Grab a full-sized chef’s knife (you want an 8″ knife, not a mini 6″ chef’s knife), or even better– you could use a meat cleaver.

Set the acorn squash on a cutting board with the widest part down.  Flex your arm muscles to remind yourself that you are STRONG, and then, carefully, keeping track of all your fingers and thumbs– pierce the squash through its middle with the very point of your knife and slowly rock the blade to form a groove.

Using this groove, cut the squash in half toward both ends, from stem-end to bottom.  Scoop out the seeds and membrane, and then slice the squash into long strips about 1″ wide.  And that’s it– the rest is simple and doesn’t require strong muscles or knife skills.

Making Roasted Acorn Squash Slices

To make this tasty fall side dish, arrange the cut squash slices on a baking sheet.  Soften butter or coconut oil, mix it with maple syrup,* and then brush (or drizzle) the sweet mixture onto the squash.  Sprinkle everything with a little salt and red pepper flakes.

Roast until the squash is tender.  Serve the sweet and fragrant acorn squash slices along with the easy, tart cranberry sauce, as a fabulous fall side dish!

Want more FALL VEGGIE SIDES?  Try these:

• Green Bean Salad with Almonds
• Braised Kale with Apple Cider Vinegar
• Haricots Verts with Lemon-Herb Brown Butter from Striped Spatula

Want other FALL SIDE DISHES?  Try these:

• Kentucky Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole
• Beluga Lentil Salad
• French Lentils with Dijon Vinaigrette