Roasted Acorn Squash with Chipotle and Cilantro
Herbal cilantro and tart lime juice help cut through the creaminess of the squash. Spicy and smoky chipotle chilies, too, are a delightful contrast to the sweet autumn vegetable. The result is a balanced dish that’s not too spicy, with many layers of intriguing flavor.
Ingredients:
- 2 acorn squashes, halved and seeded
- 2 limes
- 3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp. adobo sauce
- 1/2 tsp. sugar
- Pinch of sea salt
- Pinch of freshly ground pepper
- 1 chipotle chili in adobo sauce
- 2 Tbs. coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
Directions:
Preheat an oven to 425°F.
Cut each squash half into crescent-shaped wedges about 3/4 inch thick.
Halve one of the limes and squeeze the juice into a large bowl. Add the olive oil, adobo sauce, sugar, salt and pepper, and stir well. Add the squash wedges to the bowl and toss well to coat. Pour the wedges and their juices onto 1 or 2 baking sheets and arrange them in a single layer. Roast, turning once, until the squash is golden brown and tender when pierced with a sharp knife, about 25 minutes.
While the squash is roasting, remove the seeds from the chili, then mince. Cut the remaining lime into wedges.
Transfer the squash wedges to a large bowl. Add the minced chili and the cilantro and toss to coat well. Arrange the squash on a warmed platter, garnish with the lime wedges and serve immediately. Serves 4.
Adapted from Williams-Sonoma New Flavors for Vegetables, by Jodi Liano (Oxmoor House, 2008).