Creamed Oysters in Acorn Squash combines two of my favorite foods – oysters and acorn squash. Besides being just plain delicious, these Creamed Oysters are beautiful to look at!
When choosing oysters at the market, make sure that they be fresh. If one is open (which it should not be) it should snap shut emphatically once tapped. If an oyster does not close immediately, do not buy or use it. Oysters should feel heavy and full in your hand. Oysters lose moisture once they are removed from the sea. The heaviness suggests that they are freshly harvested. Fresh oysters should smell sweet and briny like the sea. Learn how to purchase and shuck oysters.
Learn about Squash Hints, Tips, and Information, and here for more Squash Recipes.
- 4 medium acorn squash
- 1/4 cup butter, cut up
- 2 (12-ounce) containers fresh (live) oysters*
- 1 (10 34-ounce) can cream of celery soup, undiluted
- 2 lean bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, minced
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
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Cut squash in half crosswise around the middle. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and stringy stuff in the center of each squash half; discard.
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Place squash halves, cut side up, in a greased 15- x 10-inch baking pan; divide butter pieces evenly between each squash halve.
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Bake approximately 45 to 60 minutes or until tender when pierced with a fork. Remove from oven.
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While the squash is cooking, drain oysters, reserving half of liquid. Place oysters and reserved liquid in a large saucepan; cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until oysters just begin to curl. Stir in cream of celery soup, and then spoon the oyster/soup mixture evenly into warm squash halves. Sprinkle with crumbled bacon and minced parsley.
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Bake for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from oven and serve.
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Makes 8 servings.
* Learn how to How To Shuck Oysters.
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Sources: Original recipe recipe by Marty Hyson of Baltimore, Maryland. I slightly adapted this recipe from Southern Living Magazine, January 1997. Photo by J. Savage Gibson; Styling by Trinda Gage