Acorn Squash with Bacon-Chive Crumbs

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Keep your oven free for large cuts of meat or poultry and put your slow cooker to work in this comforting side dish that gets finished with a crunchy bacon topper.

Acorn Squash with Bacon-Chive Crumbs
Photo: Andy Lyons
Prep Time:
25 mins
Slow Cook Time:
4 hrs
Total Time:
4 hrs 25 mins
Servings:
12

Ingredients

  • 3 medium acorn squash (3-1/2 to 4 pounds total)

  • 4 cloves garlic

  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme

  • ¾ cup apple cider

  • ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth

  • 2 tablespoon packed brown sugar

  • 4 thick slices bacon

  • ½ cup panko (Japanese-style bread crumbs)

  • ¼ cup snipped fresh chives

Directions

  1. Cut 1/2 inch off the top and bottom of each squash; cut each squash in half lengthwise. Remove and discard seeds. Cut each squash half crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices.

  2. Layer squash slices in a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Add garlic and thyme. In a 2-cup glass measure stir together cider, broth, and brown sugar. Pour over squash in cooker.

  3. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 4 to 6 hours or on high-heat setting for 2 to 3 hours.

  4. In a large skillet cook bacon over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes or until crisp. Drain bacon on paper towels; discard drippings. (Do not wipe skillet clean.) Finely crumble bacon. Heat skillet over medium-high heat. Add panko; cook and stir for about 3 minutes or until golden. Transfer toasted panko to a medium bowl; cool completely. Stir bacon pieces and chives into panko. Cover and chill until serving time.

  5. To serve, transfer squash to a serving platter. Sprinkle with panko mixture.

Make-Ahead Directions:

Prepare squash as directed in Step 1. Place squash slices in a resealable plastic bag; chill for up to 24 hours.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

87 Calories
2g Fat
15g Carbs
3g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12
Calories 87
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 2g 3%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 3mg 1%
Sodium 134mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 15g 5%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 12.4mg 62%
Calcium 40.4mg 3%
Iron 0.9mg 5%
Potassium 378mg 8%
Folate, total 20.2mcg
Vitamin B-6 0.2mg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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