Middle Eastern Style Spaghetti Squash Food

SPAGHETTI (SQUASH)

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 450 degrees F and cover a baking sheet with foil. Split the squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Season the squash with salt and pepper and place, cut-side down, on the baking sheet. Roast the squash until very tender, 45 to 60 minutes.
• Turn the roasted squash over and shred each half with a fork, turning the flesh into what looks like a yellow boat filled with spaghetti. Drizzle the hot squash with a little extra-virgin olive oil and adjust the seasoning.
• Top with lots of your favorite sauce and garnish with shredded cheese. Serve each "boat" on a platter and eat the squash and sauce right from the skin of the squash.

MIDDLE EASTERN STYLE SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium heat, heat butter and oil then stir in spices, except salt and pepper.
• Cook for about a minute.
• Stir in squash and sauté until well coated, adding white pepper and salt to taste.
• Remove to serving dish.
• Sprinkle with toasted almonds and orange zest just before serving.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH WITH PARMESAN CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Use a paring knife to prick squash all over. Place in a baking dish and bake 1 hour or until soft. Cut squash in half. Scoop out and discard seeds. Using a fork, scrape flesh in strings into a serving bowl. Toss with Parmesan and butter and season to taste with salt and pepper.

MIDDLE EASTERN SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Steps:

• Cook squash in a dish for 1 hour in a 375 degree oven. Pierce with large fork before baking. Cool for 20 minutes. Cut in half, remove seeds, run fork lengthwise through flesh. In large skillet over medium heat, heat butter and oil then stir in spices, except salt and pepper. Cook for about a minute. Stir in squash, saute until well coated, adding salt and pepper to taste. Remove to serving dish. Sprinkle with almonds and orange zest just before serving.

GREEK STYLE SPAGHETTI SQUASH SALAD

Steps:

• (To cook the spaghetti squash, if you haven't yet: preheat oven to 350 degrees F; slice the squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds; poke holes all over the squash with the tip of a knife; spray a cooking sheet with pan spray and bake the squash halves face down for 30 to 40 minutes or until easily pierced by a fork; let cool until they can be handled, then gently scoop out the insides with a fork - they will form into spaghetti-like strands).
• In a bowl, combine the vinegars, olive oil, oregano, basil, salt, black pepper, and garlic and whisk well.
• In another bowl, combine the squash, tomato, cucumber, feta, bell pepper, onion, onions, olives, and garbanzo beans, then add the whisked vinegar mixture and toss well.
• Cover and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

SPICED CHICKEN WITH SPAGHETTI SQUASH, POMEGRANATE, AND PISTACHIOS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Sprinkle each half of squash with 1/4 tsp. salt, then place facedown on prepared baking sheet along with onion quarters.
• Combine turmeric, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. allspice, and 1/8 tsp. cayenne in a large bowl. Add chicken and toss to coat. Arrange chicken skin side up alongside squash and onions on baking sheet. Brush tops of chicken with 1 Tbsp. olive oil. Bake until interior of squash and onions are fork-tender, chicken skin is crispy, and an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken registers 165°F, 35-45 minutes; if chicken is done before squash, remove from oven and let rest until squash is finished cooking.
• Meanwhile, whisk lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, and remaining 3 Tbsp. oil, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. allspice, and 1/8 tsp. cayenne in a large bowl.
• Finely chop onion quarters and transfer to bowl with dressing. Using a fork, scrape squash crosswise to pull strands from shells into bowl with dressing; discard shells. Add pistachios, pomegranate seeds, dill, and mint and toss to coat.
• Divide chicken among plates, top with dill and mint, and serve alongside squash mixture.

MEDITERRANEAN SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place spaghetti squash cut-side down in a baking pan. Pour water around squash.
• Bake in the preheated oven until tender when pierced with a fork, about 45 minutes. Cool until easily handled, 5 to 10 minutes. Scrape out and discard seeds. Scrape flesh into strands with a fork.
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken; cook and stir until lightly browned, about 3 minutes per side.
• Heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and hot sauce; cook and stir until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in squash strands, artichoke hearts, and red bell pepper. Season with oregano, basil, and thyme.
• Stir chicken and Parmesan cheese into the saucepan. Cover and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until flavors combine, about 5 minutes.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH WITH MOROCCAN SPICES

Steps:

• Pierce squash (about an inch deep) all over with a small sharp knife to prevent bursting. Cook in an 800-watt microwave oven on high power (100 percent) for 6 to 7 minutes. Turn squash over and microwave until squash feels slightly soft when pressed, 8 to 10 minutes more. Cool squash for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a small heavy saucepan over moderately high heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until golden, about 1 minute. Stir in spices and salt and remove from heat.
• Carefully halve squash lengthwise (it will give off steam) and remove and discard seeds. Working over a bowl, scrape squash flesh with a fork, loosening and separating strands as you remove it from skin. Toss with spiced butter and cilantro.