Simmered Acorn Squash

5.0 from 5 reviews

Author: Anita Jacobson

Categories: Side Dish

Cuisines: Japanese

Ingredients: Vegetables

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 40 mins

Total Time: 50 mins

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 acorn squash (~ 750 gram / 1.5 lb)
• 2 cup (500 ml) dashi (or 2 cups water + 1 teaspoon instant dashi granules)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 tablespoon sake
• 2 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 inch ginger, thinly sliced (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

1. Carefully cut acorn squash into two halves, use a spoon to remove the seeds and fibrous part. Place on a microwave safe plate, and cook on high with a microwave for 2-3 minutes. Cut the acorn squash into 2-inch pieces, and arrange in one layer in a pot.
2. Mix together dashi, sugar, and sake. Pour into the pot. The liquid should cover at least 80% of the squash, please add water if this isn't so.
3. Cook on medium high heat until boiling, then add soy sauce and shake the pot gently to distribute the soy sauce. When it boils again, reduce heat to medium low and cover the pot with an otoshi buta (drop lid). (*)
4. Simmer for 30 minutes. The squash should be very tender and very flavorful by the end of cooking time.
5. Turn off the heat, and let the squash rest in the hot pot for another 30 minutes without removing the lid. This will make the squash even more flavorful. Serve the squash with some thinly sliced ginger.

Notes

• (*) You can make a makeshift drop lid by cutting a piece of aluminum foil into a round shape slightly smaller than the pot you are using, then make a couple of holes in the center to let off a bit of steam while cooking.