HONEY PEAR Stuffed Baked ACORN SQUASH
I used 1 acorn squash for 2 people, so adjust the other ingredients if you're making a larger quantity.
1 acorn squash.........................................................1 ripe pear (I like red or brown best)
3-4 TB softened butter.............................................2-3 tsp. honey
about 1/2 tsp. Kosher salt........................................about 1/8 tsp. cumin
smoked paprika
***
Cut the squash in half and hollow out the seeds. Put the halves (cut side down) in a pan (7x12" is a perfect size for 2 halves) with about 1/4" water. Put the pan into a 375 oven and bake for about 30-40 minutes. It should be somewhat soft, but it will bake later so doesn't have to be perfectly soft.
While the squash is baking, cut the pear into small cubes (with the peel on). Mash the butter up in a bowl with the honey, salt and cumin. Add the pears and mix until they're really covered well in the butter mixture.
When you take the squash out of the oven, pile the pear mixture evenly into the halves (packing it down a little with your hands). Just a quick dust of smoked paprika (for color and a hint of smoke). Cover lightly with foil and bake for another 20-30 minutes, or until the pears and squash are soft.
You might want to add a spoon to eat this with, so you can really scrape down to the sides of the shell!