3 winter squash, such as acorn, buttercup, butternut, or delicata
2 cups minced onions
1 cup minced celery
1 teaspoon cooking liquid (broth, water, apple juice)
3 cups fresh or 12 ounces frozen cranberries
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 teaspoons freshly grated orange peel
juice of 1 orange (about 1/2 cup)
1/2 cup pure maple syrup, or to taste

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Slice each squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Place the squash, cut side down, in a large flat-bottomed baking pan, add water to about 1/2 inch, cover and bake for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a covered saucepan on medium heat, saute the onions and celery in the cooking liquid, stirring often, for 10 minutes, until softened. Add the cranberries and salt, lower the heat, and simmer until the cranberries have popped, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the applesauce, orange peel, orange juice, and maple syrup. The filling should be tart--add just enough maple syrup to offset the sourness of the cranberries.

Remove the squash from the oven and turn the halves over in the pan. Fill each cavity with a rounded 1/2 cup of the filling. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes, until well done.

Serves 6. Preparation time 30 to 35 minutes. Baking time 30 to 45 minutes