Name: Stuffed Acorn Squash with Dates and Pecans in the Instant Pot
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 17 min
Total time: 27 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 acorn squash; 3 Tablespoons brown sugar; 1/3 cup dates, chopped; 1/3 cup pecans, chopped; 2 Tablespoons butter

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Acorn squash tastes even more fabulous when stuffed with buttery pecans, dates, and brown sugar goodness. Make it even faster with the help of an electric pressure cooker.

close up of acorn squash half stuffed with dates pecans and brown sugar

Brown sugar, pecans and acorn squash are quintessential fall flavors. Why not marry them together in a slightly decadent but totally amazing side dish.

It cooks quickly in an instant pot and is a perfect accompaniment to pork chops, chicken and more.

Winter squash is rolling in! I love seeing all of the fabulous types and appreciate the wonderful varieties local farmers grow.

hollowed out acorn squash half and small bowl of pecans

Our CSA has been including fabulous spaghetti, butternut, acorn, buttercup and more.

I am hoping delicata squash is still coming. Last year I made some honey roasted delicata with cranberries that was so good and I’m hoping to make it again!

Anyway, with the pile of squash growing it is time to crank out some new recipes. It’s fun to have a variety to pull from when the season arrives.

acorn squash half filled pecans, dates and brown sugar.

We really love the more savory preparations like Parmesan roasted acorn squash in the air fryer. But my old neighbors introduced me to acorn squash stuffed with butter and brown sugar and I was instantly hooked.

So I thought it would be fun to create a slight twist on that idea and make it even easier and faster with the help of a pressure cooker.

This recipe can easily be adapted to meet your dietary and flavor preferences. However the combination of brown sugar, butter and pecans is hard to beat.

acorn stuffed with dates, pecans and brown sugar in front of instant pot.

Dates add a nice texture and more natural sweetness. The final combination is the ultimate in candied acorn goodness.

Then all you need is a nice savory main dish and you are ready to go. I think some nice pork chops, pork roast or chicken would be fabulous. A great sausage would be really good too.

brown sugar and pecan stuffed acorn squash cooked in an instant pot.

Addition and Substitution ideas:

If you don’t have dates, try raisins or dried cranberries.
A sprinkle of cinnamon would be delicious!
A grating of orange zest over the top would be amazing as well.

If you would rather bake your acorn squash in the oven, that’s not a problem! Get it halved, cleaned and stuffed then bake it at 400 F for 50-60 minutes. It should be fork tender and delicious!

Now tell me your favorite varieties of squash and your favorite recipes. I’d love to hear all about it!

Yield: 2 Servings