Saturday, October 23, 2021

Homemade Apple Pie Filling in a Roasted Acorn Squash

acorn squash and apple pie filling

Sweet juicy apple pie filling and tender acorn squash are a match made in heaven in this tasty seasonal fall side dish. I find that roasting vegetables is a great way to warm up the kitchen somewhat before we officially feel ready to turn on the heat

acorn squash and apple pie filling

Acorn squash is my favorite winter squash. 
I don't peel my squash. I just usually half it, (remove the seeds) roast it, and eat it right out of the shell. Truthfully, the skin is edible and tasty too, and I do like to eat it, but only when I get it from a local farmer and it's not waxed such as the one's I get from most supermarkets.

homemade apple pie filling
Homemade apple pie filling 



For this recipe, I decided to quarter the squash before roasting it and then serve it with my homemade apple pie filling.

bowl of apple pie filling


I always love fruit with my acorn squash. In the past I've made Berry Stuffed Acorn Squash and Citrusy Roasted Acorn Squash with Roasted Red Grapes

However, I got the inspiration for this brilliant idea on a blog called Happier Than A Pig in Mud (another Philadelphia food blogger). Her easy recipe calls for canned apple pie filling, and is worth visiting her site (use this link to her blog)..


Apples, Season, Autumn, Basket

Since it's apple season here, and I have access to an abundance of apples,  I thought I would make my own homemade apple pie filling to share with you.

Apples, Basket, Basket Of Apples

Apples Go Well with Most Winter Squash
This tasty fruit filling would taste good with any type of winter squash: butternut, buttercup, spaghetti squash, or even baked pumpkin. 

I love all the variety of seasonal fall produce- sugar pumpkins, butternut squash, acorn, squash, spaghetti squash, buttercup squash. 
They are so versatile and great for (links) pumpkin pie, soups, muffins, side dishes, etc.

Winter Squash

Have you ever actually cooked pumpkin? 
How may people in the US actually cook pumpkin as a vegetable?  I think most simply carve it, decorate it, or just display it for fall. 

Pumpkin, Food, Vegetable, Healthy

Do the pumpkin pie bakers actually cook a pumpkin or just a can of pumpkin puree? You tell me. Pumpkin is just like any other squash and can be cooked and eaten.

apples and acorn squash

Here is today's recipe

Homemade Apple Pie Filling: 
I use sweet apples (such as fuji or delicious) for this recipe since I don't add sugar. In addition, I keep the maple syrup to a minimum. 

Acorn Squash Ingredients: 
1 acorn squash, washed, cut in quarters, cleaned, and seeded
1 cup of apple cider or apple juice

Apple Pie Filling Ingredients: 
 3 cups of chunky diced apples (I left the skin on)
1/2 cup of apple cider or apple juice
1 teaspoon of cornstarch
1/2 cup of room temperature water
2 tablespoons of maple syrup or coconut sugar 
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
1 teaspoon of cinnamon (or more- your preference)

Optional seasonings : 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger or cardamom or both or pumpkin pie spice. Add 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts if you like.. 

Directions to roast the squash. 
Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees
Place squash quarters on a cookie sheet that has been covered with parchment paper. Pour some apple cider or juice into each cavity and sprinkle with cinnamon if you wish. Bake about 30-35 minutes until squash is soft. (pierce with a fork to see if its soft).

Directions to make the apple filling
Add apple chunks to a small saucepan. Add apple cider and bring to a boil. Turn heat to a simmer and simmer covered for 10 minutes. Fill a 1/2 cup measuring cup with water, add the cornstarch, and stir until smooth. Add this to the pot and continue to simmer and stir until mixture becomes thickened and the apples are soft.

Assemble: 
When squash is done, (liquid should be absorbed- If not, be careful and pour off liquid saving it if desired) place the squash in a serving dish and fill each cavity with the apple filling. Add extra spices if desired and serve. It's good cold too.


Previous Favorite Acorn Squash Recipes





      18 comments:

      1. I am a huge fan of all sorts of pumpkins! Apple pie and roasted acorn...a win win recipe!

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      2. sorry to say but this isn't a dish that appeals to me but it's very interesting... I literally was just thinking before that i am not an apple pie fan or crumble etc Hot fruit is not my friend unless maybe apricot chicken. I like it savoury.

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      3. What a delicious idea!! Thanks for sharing at our Share the Wealth party! Have a fabulous week.

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      4. I love the spice filling but I can eat without apples too just with sprinkle of spices.

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      5. It looks very tempting!!...it is a great recipe for Thanksgiving!....I love the combination of flavors!.......Abrazotes, Marcela

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      6. Your alternative sweeteners really make this a truly guilt-free pie filling. Fall and apple pie are such a dream combination!

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      7. Wow squash and apples I wouldn't have come up with the idea to mix them .... but the apple filling looks really good and perhaps would make anything better. Which do you like better pumpkin or apple pie? Both are good but perhaps pecan is the best.

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      8. Your apple pie filling-stuffed squash looks delicious! I agree that it would be perfect for Thanksgiving. The pictures are even more show-stopping than usual, a real cornucopia of fall delight! :)

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      9. This all looks very good and delicious! I like the idea of stuffing a squash with apple pie filling. And thanks for stopping by Marmelade Gypsy. I enjoy your blog.

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      10. I always cook mine with the skin on as I love eating the skins of any squash. Dave will only eat the flesh :)

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      11. This sounds so good and would be perfect for a holiday meal. I have cooked pumpkin many times. I made things from scratch for years. And I like to make applesauce too. It's something easy to make for just one of two servings! Love Happier than a pig in mud! She makes some fun dishes and cute outfits for her Barbies! Hugs!

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      12. Your apple pie filling sounds great! Thanks for the shout-out:@)

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      13. Another fav my hubby would like. Thanks so much for linking up at the Unlimited Link Party 37. Pinned!

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      14. Good idea!

        My similar acorn squash prep uses home-made cranberry relish in the center of the squash. I make squash and pumpkin dishes all the time, especially savory ones with lots of onion. Our fall markets always offer cooking pumpkins, which have better flavor and texture than the decorative ones (the huge ones are virtually inedible). Pumpkin soup can be flavored so many ways based on traditional recipes from so many cultures. I also like pumpkin lasagne.

        best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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      15. Nice! I will keep the apple filling recipe around, it will come in handy for many other uses. Thanks.

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      16. Never too old to learn, never heard of apple pie filling in acorn squash
        Spotted this awesome post on Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot!
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      17. I see me using this apple filling with roasted butternut pieces!

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      Your comments are appreciated. I love knowing who is stopping by to read my posts! Have a great day.

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