preheat oven to 350°

wash and dry squash

cut from top to bottom lengthwise, scoop the seeds and the flesh attached to them

rinse the cavity if needed and pat dry

use a knife and lightly score the squash but don't cut through the skin

pour the maple syrup over each half of the squash using a pastry brush to get in the cuts you made

add a TBSP of butter to each half of the squash and top with the brown sugar, sprinkle lightly with a little salt, if you're using red pepper flakes sprinkle them on now too

place in a baking dish and add an inch of water to the dish

bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes until soft, basting every 15 minutes or so with the brown sugar and butter in the squash

serve hot