1 acorn squash
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of ground cloves
Pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a baking sheet and a baking dish.

Halve the squash lengthwise. Transfer the squash, cut side down, to the baking sheet, and bake the squash until it is tender, about 45 minutes. Don't turn off the oven. While the squash cooks, melt the butter, and stir in the remaining ingredients. Keep the mixture warm until it is needed.

Arrange the squash, cut sides up, in the baking dish. Spoon the butter and seasonings equally over the sections. Bake the squash another 15 minutes, until it is very soft. Serve the squash hot.