There are wildfires raging all over Southern California and although I don’t live in the danger zone, the thick air and daunting skies make the fires impossible to ignore.
Driving around at dusk tonight, listening to the fire coverage on my car radio, I remembered that between the ages of about seven and eleven I would proudly proclaim that I wanted to be a firefighter to any adult that would ask.
It’s funny the reasons you choose to declare your future profession when you’re a child. See, I don’t particularly like fire, or being hot, or tall ladders or carrying heavy things. I’m not much of a hero. I don’t have that life saving gene inside me, aside from not killing the cricket that was in my kitchen last night.
My seven year old brain wanted to be a firefighter for several unheroic reasons: I liked (loved!) how awesomely clean and shiny fire trucks were. I also really liked color and something about the red truck and the yellow suits and the black and white Dalmatian was totally exciting. This is going to sound totally weird, but I used to love to do pull ups (I know, nutty), and my child brain somehow connected the ability to do pull ups with the ability to save lives and fight fire.
So I wanted to do pull ups and be a firefighter, until I wanted to own a zoo and be a vet, until I wanted to be a brooding writer, until I wanted to be a lady baker. Phew… figuring out that stuff is nearly exhausting, and I’m not even done dreaming yet.
How about some squash?
Honey Roasted Acorn Squash
This recipe isn’t really a recipe at all.
You’ll need a squash, salt, pepper, olive oil and honey.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Grab a squash (I had an acorn squash on hand), cut it down the center and remove all the guts. Cut the squash into quarters and then smaller wedges according to taste. Throw the wedges onto a foil lined baking sheet. Drizzle generously with olive and sprinkled with sea salt and freshly ground pepper. Toss with your hands to make sure all the pieces are coated in olive oil.
Roast squash wedges for 12-15 minutes, until sizzling and mostly tender. Remove from oven and drizzle with honey. Return to the oven and continue cooking until completely fork tender.
Stand in your kitchen and eat the entire squash, that’s what I did.
Banketi
Love the idea. Very simple, but I bet its tasty at the same time.
Jen K.
I made this for a little get-together this past Saturday, and we LOVED it. I had folks emailing me about the recipe who hadn’t even attended the dinner, so I just sent out the link to your recipe to several dozen friends who will enjoy this super easy and delicious recipe!!
Andrea
And I needed an extra vegetable for tomorrow! Thanks!
Kimmy
My friends and I did a non-traditional thanksgiving dinner and i substituted this recipe for candied yams. It barely made it to the table and was certainly one of the few dishes that was completly gobbled up. Thank you so much! I plan on making it again and again.
Deanna
I made this and even my picky daughter ate it(after telling her she couldn’t get up until it was gone), but she liked it after the first bite! The honey took acorn squash to a new level. Thanks
Evan
I wanted to be the following (in chronological order):
doctor (as did every child I think), country singer, back-up dancer for Paula Abdul and/or Janet Jackson, choreographer, music video producer, Justin Timeberlake’s wife (back in the N’Sync days), famous musician, marine biologist, famous musician and singer, veterinarian, famous musician and singer, biology teacher, veterinarian, biology teacher, baker/housewife…whew! And the best part is, I never once changed my major in college; just my mind!
Beth
Yum. Acorn squash is one of my favorite fall/winter vegetables.
I have 2 girls, and we enjoy your blog so much. We look over your recipes regularly, choosing what we will bake together that week. You’ve helped us create so many fun moments together that I hope will become fond memories for my girls. Thank you for that. So much.
Blond Duck
That’s so cute! I wanted to be a Hawaiian lady. I have no idea why.
Jennie
Hi Joy, I just found your blog and I LOVE it! I definitely have to try some of your recipes. Your photos are gorgeous, they all make me very hungry. Great job with your blog.
Jaina
Interesting, I’ve never really eaten squash. Well, unless you count the baby food when I was too young to remember it. Haha
Maria
I love your new look! The squash looks great too!!
Lemmonex
Wow, wowie wow. This looks so simple and amazing. Must try very soon.
Jenn's Baking Chamber
Love the new facelift! and love squash! thanks for the recipe! I think im going to go out to the store right now just so i can make this recipe! haha
Cakespy
Be still my beating heart. I could eat this as a main course and be very happy!
Deanna
I think this will go great with my pork roast. Thanks
Katelyn
This looks so lovely with the skin and salt and pepper flecks.
Emily Rose
the squash looks delicious! I wanted to be an NFL football player when I was little- not because I loved football or even sports, just because I wanted to surprise people!
Jaime
mmmm i love roasted squash. this looks wonderful
steph (whisk/spoon)
i am loving your new blog design!! very pretty! and acorn squash is one of my favorite fall treats!!
Culinarywannabe
They look so pretty!! And I love the new touches to your site!!
Jill in Atlanta
On this week’s recipe plans. I think my kids would even go for it. We just bought some wonderful local honey.
DeAnne
simplicity, instead of transforming it merely accentuates what is already complete. delish!
snookydoodle
Great recipe . Easy and I bet it ‘s out of this world :)
Natalie
Yummy, squash!
I have to say though, that I am a little paranoid about oil + oven. Last week we attempted to roast some peanuts with some olive oil at 425, and they started on fire! Since we had quite a large kitchen fire last year, I am absolutely petrified of anything that could ignite.
Exactly what can I do to be sure that this doesn’t happen with the squash?
Lizzie
as a kid, i always wanted to be the person that would fix all the potholes in new york city…complete with a steam roller and everything. so, although your childhood dream might have been silly, at least it was a lot more ambitious than mine! haha
anyways, the acorn squash looks delectable! and so easy…i just gotta get me some acorn squash and try this out.
Elaine
We had the last of the garden acorn squash from hubby’s summertime “Farmer Brown” venture…we cooked it this way and it was INCREDIBLE! YUM!!!! Standing only – no sitting while eating – you got that right!
Patsyk
That sounds wonderful… I think acorn squash will be on my shopping list tomorrow!