Squash and Pork Chops

Ingredients

• 1  acorn squash halved seeded
• 2 tablespoons butter 
• 1 cup chicken broth 
• 4 tablespoons flour all-purpose divided
• 0.3 teaspoon ground ginger 
• 0.1 teaspoon ground thyme 
• 0.5  onion finely chopped
• 0.3 teaspoon pepper 
• 6  pork chops lean
• 1.3 teaspoons salt divided
• 1 tablespoon shortening 

Equipment

• bowl
• frying pan
• sauce pan
• oven
• whisk
• baking pan
• aluminum foil

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Sift salt and pepper into flour, and rub onto both sides of pork chops, shaking off any excess.
3. Heat shortening in a large skillet over medium high heat. Brown chops on both sides, reducing heat if necessary, and working in two batches depending on the size of your skillet.
4. Remove from heat, and set aside.
5. Peel squash, and slice crosswise into 1/8 inch thick slices. Arrange 1/2 the slices in the bottom of a baking dish.
6. Place pork chops over squash, and top with remaining slices.
7. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. In a bowl, stir remaining 2 tablespoons flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt together with ginger and thyme; add to butter, and stir. Cook for 3 minutes, then very gradually whisk in chicken broth, avoiding any lumps. Continue to cook and stir until slightly thickened, then stir in onion.
8. Pour over chops and squash, and cover with foil.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until squash is tender and pork is no longer pink inside.