1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Prepare the Acorn Squash:
- Cut the acorn squash in half and scoop out the seeds and fibrous strings. If needed, you can cut a small slice from the bottom of each half to make them stable when placed on a baking sheet.
3. Mix the Maple Glaze:
- In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, maple syrup, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt, and black pepper.
4. Brush the Squash:
- Place the acorn squash halves on a baking sheet, cut side up. Brush the cut sides with the maple glaze, making sure to coat the entire surface.
5. Roast the Squash:
- Roast the acorn squash in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until the flesh is tender when pierced with a fork.
6. Add Pecans:
- In the last 10 minutes of roasting, sprinkle chopped pecans over the acorn squash halves, allowing them to toast and infuse their flavor into the dish.
7. Baste with Maple Glaze:
- Occasionally, baste the acorn squash with the maple glaze from the baking sheet to enhance the flavor.
8. Serve:
- Once the acorn squash is tender and the pecans are toasted, remove from the oven. Serve the roasted acorn squash halves on a platter, drizzling any remaining maple glaze over the top.
9. Garnish (Optional):
- For an extra touch, you can sprinkle a few more chopped pecans on top before serving. Fresh herbs like chopped parsley or a dash of extra maple syrup can also be used for garnish.
This Maple Pecan Roasted Acorn Squash makes a wonderful side dish for fall and winter meals. It’s a perfect balance of sweetness and nuttiness, complementing a variety of main courses. Enjoy!