Chef John’s Baked Acorn Squash
Although I enjoy the flavor, scoring the squash with a knife before baking really enhances the dish’s appearance. Additionally, it enables the delicious but straightforward glaze to absorb thoroughly.

Set the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees C).

Make 1/4-inch deep cuts into the squash’s flesh to create a score.

Put inside a baking dish.

Add salt after applying orange juice to the surface.

For about 30 minutes, bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned.

In the meantime, cook butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a small skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is smooth and the sugar has dissolved, about 3 minutes.