Gingered Pears in Acorn Squash

From Oxmoor House.

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 3  medium acorn squash
• 2  ripe  red pears, chopped (about 3 cups)
• 1⁄2 cup  firmly packed brown sugar
• 2  teaspoons  minced fresh ginger
• 1⁄3 cup butter or 1⁄3 cup margarine, melted
• 1⁄2 teaspoon hazelnut-flavored liqueur (optional)
• 1⁄2 cup hazelnuts, chopped and toasted

Directions

1. Make a small cut into each squash; microwave at HIGH 1 to 2 minutes to ease halving squash.
2. Cut squash in half crosswise; remove and discard seeds. Place squash, cut side up, in a 13" x 9" x 2" baking dish.
3. Combine pear, brown sugar, ginger, butter, and, if desired, liqueur; spoon evenly into squash halves. Add boiling water to a depth of 1/2" to dish.
4. Cover and bake at 350° for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until squash is tender. Transfer squash to a serving dish; sprinkle with toasted hazelnuts.
5. *To remove hazelnut skins, cook hazelnuts with 1 teaspoon baking soda in boiling water 30 to 45 seconds. Drain nuts; rub with dish towel (skins come right off). Dry before toasting.