Chef John's Baked Acorn Squash

Ingredients

• 2 acorns squash , cut in half lengthwise and seeded
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

2. 2

   Score squash by making ¼-inch deep slashes into flesh; place in a baking dish. Brush with orange juice; season with salt.

3. 3

   Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, about 30 minutes.

4. 4

   Meanwhile, combine butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, and black pepper in a small skillet over medium heat; simmer until smooth and sugar has dissolved, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. 5

   Remove squash from oven; discard any liquid that may have collected in squash. Brush maple syrup glaze over squash halves; return to oven. Bake until tender, about 20 minutes more. Spoon any glaze collected at the bottom of squash over edges of squash. Season with salt.