Acorn Squash

The squash (Cucurbita) genus is a diverse family of vegetables that are consumed by humans and livestock. Depending on the species, they can grow anywhere between 18 and 30 inches in length and come in a variety of shapes. Their surface may be smooth, ridged or scalloped.¹

You’re probably familiar with squashes such as zucchini and pumpkin. But there are other varieties beyond the popular choices that must be explored and recognized. One such example is acorn squash, which offers a different flavor than other squashes, but is just as healthy.

What Is Acorn Squash?

Acorn squash (Cucurbita pepo var. turbinata) is a plant native to the Americas. Historians believe that acorn squash was first cultivated by the Native Americans, making it part of the “Three Sisters” alongside beans and corn, which are the three most important crops in their culture.²

One of the most distinguished features of acorn squash is its appearance. It has dark green skin, but there may be harvests that have blotches of green and orange. The name is derived from how the squash is shaped like an acorn.³

Health Benefits of Acorn Squash

Acorn squash contains a rich mixture of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants working together to help benefit your health. Some notable examples include:

• Boosting the immune system — Acorn squash is rich in vitamin C, which is one of the most important nutrients that can help boost your immune system.⁴Taking sufficient amounts of it may help stimulate the production of white blood cells to defend your body from foreign contaminants.⁵
• Promoting healthy vision —Consuming acorn squash may help maintain healthy vision, as it contains generous amounts of vitamin A (25.2 micrograms per cup).⁶ This nutrient has been linked with reduced oxidative stress in the eyes, which may help promote better eyesight.⁷
• Promoting skin health — Aside from promoting eye health, vitamin A may also help keep your skin in optimal condition. According to The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, vitamin A may help prevent skin damage caused by ultraviolet light (photoaging).⁸
• Boosting digestive health —A single-cup serving of acorn squash contains 2.1 grams of dietary fiber.⁹ This can help promote digestive health by adding bulk to your stools, thereby promoting regular waste elimination. As a result, the risk for common digestive problems such as constipation and diarrhea is reduced.¹⁰
• Regulating blood pressure —Acorn squash contains potassium (in fact, 486 milligrams in a single cup¹¹) that acts as a vasodilator. This means that potassium may help relax blood vessels and arteries, which may lower the stress in your cardiovascular system.¹²
• Building strong bones —A total of 46.2 milligrams of calcium is found in a cup of acorn squash,¹³ which may help build strong bones.¹⁴

How to Cook and Prepare Acorn Squash

Before you are able to cook acorn squash, you will need to know how to prepare it. To begin cutting an acorn squash, you will need a chef’s knife or another heavy-duty knife with some weight.¹⁵

Start slicing on one side of the stem while cutting straight through the squash. Continue this motion all the way down until you don’t encounter resistance and you’ve reached the hollow portion. Afterward, pull apart the squash with your hands. From there, you can prepare the squash as you see fit.¹⁶

While baking acorn squash is one of the most popular ways to prepare it, there are other culinary options, as long as you have the imagination. Some ideas you can try include:¹⁷

• Soup— Chop up the flesh of acorn squash to create a broth, or puree it for a creamy texture.
• Casserole —Add acorn squash into a lasagna or your favorite casserole recipe.
• Salad —Mix chunks of acorn squash flesh with your salads to create new flavors.

Another reason why you should cook acorn squash is because of its high lectin content. Lectins are sugar-binding plant proteins that attach to cell membranes, which can negatively affect your health, such as causing leaky gut syndrome.¹⁸ Cooking acorn squash properly lowers the amount of lectins in it, helping reduce its health risks while simultaneously helping you gain the nutrients that may actually promote better well-being.

Acorn Squash Nutritional Facts

Acorn squash is low in calories and rich in vitamins A and C. However, one drawback of this vegetable is its high carbohydrate content. Consuming excessive amounts of acorn squash can have negative effects on your health because carbohydrates are converted into glucose in your body, so make sure you eat this in moderation. The table below provides a good overview of what nutrients to expect when eating acorn squash:²⁰

Squash, winter, acorn, raw Serving Size: 1 cup — 140 g
	Amt. Per Serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	56
Total Fat	0.14 g
Saturated Fat	0.029 g
Trans Fat
Cholesterol	0.0 mg
Sodium	4.2mg
Total Carbohydrates	14.6 g
Dietary Fiber	2.1g
Sugar
Protein	1.12 g
Vitamin A25.2 µg	Vitamin C	15.4 mg
Calcium46.2 mg	Iron	0.98 mg

Possible Side Effects of Acorn Squash

Squash is safe to eat for most people and can be enjoyed as a part of a healthy diet. However, be sure to estimate your servings accordingly. As you can see in the nutrition facts table above, a single cup already contains 14.6 grams of carbohydrates. If you’re on a ketogenic diet, consuming too much acorn squash may throw you off ketosis. Consuming smaller portions may be better in this regard.

Give Acorn Squash a Try

If you haven’t tried acorn squash before, now is the perfect opportunity to do so. Aside from being nutritious, it also offers a different flavor than other squashes, and an impressive nutritional profile. What’s more, it’s easy to prepare and you can even eat the skin.²¹ Before anything else, make sure that your acorn squash comes from a reputable organic grower to help you lower your risk of ingesting dangerous contaminants that can potentially harm your health.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Acorn Squash

Q: Can you eat acorn squash skin?

A: Yes, the skin of acorn squash is edible. It can be roasted, braised or simmered, depending on your needs.²²

Q: What does acorn squash taste like?

A: Acorn squash is described to have a mild, buttery taste.²³

Q: How can you tell if acorn squash is ripe?

A: Ripe acorn squashes have a dark green appearance, as well as a hard skin. In addition, the stem attached to the fruit will become withered.²⁴