Homemade Apple Pie Filling in a Roasted Acorn Squash

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 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 

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

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 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.

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. 

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.

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

• Dazzling Thanksgiving Salad with Roasted Acorn Squash slices (Superb)

• Citrusy Roasted Acorn Squash and Roasted Grapes ( Sweet and Fragrant)

• Berry Stuffed Acorn Squash ( Beautiful Presentation)

• Turn Acorn Squash into a Soup Tureen  (Festive for A Holiday)

• Roasted Acorn Squash Seeds (Don't Discard the Seeds- Roast Them)

• Acorn Squash and Apple Soup (Instant Pot or Stove Top)

• Acorn Squash with Quinoa and Pomegranate Stuffing (Satisfying and Beautiful)

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