Spaghetti Squash Ole Food

SPAGHETTI SQUASH WITH TOMATOES AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Line a baking pan with foil and oil lightly with olive oil. Heat the oven to 375 F.
• Cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and any soft fibers.
• Arrange the squash, cut side down, on the foil-lined pan.
• Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour.
• After an hour, turn the squash over, cover once again with foil and bake for about 20 minutes longer, or until very tender.
• Scoop the squash out of its peel and toss in a large bowl with the butter, diced tomato, basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, pepper, and salt.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH WITH SAUTEED VEGGIES

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 400°, line a medium baking sheet with foil, and lightly mist with cooking spray.
• On a work surface, drizzle about 2 tablespoons worth of the olive oil over both of the cut-sides of the spaghetti squash halves, then sprinkle over a generous amount of salt (squash needs it!), black pepper, the 1/2 teaspoon of granulated onion, 1/2 teaspoon of the granulated garlic, plus the Italian seasoning, equally.
• Place the two squash halves cut-side down onto the baking sheet and roast for 1 hour, or until easily pierced with a small paring knife and tender.
• While the spaghetti squash roasts, make your toasted breadcrumbs: add the panko breadcrumbs to a small bowl, add a sprinkle of salt, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of granulated garlic, plus 1 teaspoon of olive oil, and use a fork to combine. Place a small pan over high heat, and once hot, add the seasoned crumbs to it, stirring constantly until golden-brown and toasted, about 1-2 minutes; set the toasted breadcrumbs aside.
• Once the spaghetti squash has baked, allow it to cool (cut-side up now) for about 20-25 minutes; once cool enough to handle, use a fork to scrape the squash flesh downwards away from the skin, fluffing it a bit to create the spaghetti strands. Scrape most of the flesh from each shell, leaving just a little bit around the edges to help maintain the shape of the shell, and place the scraped spaghetti squash strands into a large bowl to hold. Reserve the shells.
• To prepare your sauteed veggies, place a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat (I use my cast iron skillet for this), add a good amount of olive oil to it, and add in the sliced onions with a pinch or two of salt and pepper. Allow those onions to caramelize for about 12 minutes, stirring them frequently, until golden; once golden, drizzle in the balsamic and stir to combine, then remove the onions from the pan and place into a bowl to hold.
• To that same pan, add in a touch more oil as needed, then add the sliced mushrooms along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Saute the mushrooms until golden-brown, about 7 minutes, then remove those from the pan and add to the onions to hold.
• Now to the pan add the cherry tomatoes along with the small squeeze of lemon, and cook those for a few minutes until blistered, softened and beginning to break down and become juicy; once broken down, add in the garlic, stir until aromatic, then add back into the pan the onions and mushrooms, plus the spinach and the white beans, and stir to combine, adding more olive oil as needed to create a silky consistency.
• Turn off the heat under the sauteed veggies, check to see if any additional salt/pepper is needed, then add the spaghetti squash strands into the pan, gently tossing with tongs to combine them very well with all of the delicious sauteed veggies.
• To serve, divide the spaghetti squash/veggie mixture equally between the two reserved squash shells, sprinkle over some of the toasted breadcrumbs and parsley, plus some parmesan cheese (if using), and serve hot. (You can serve 1 full, stuffed spaghetti squash half per person, or cut each in half to make 4 smaller portions.)

SPAGHETTI SQUASH OLE

Steps:

• Halve the spaghetti squash lengthwise and remove seeds.
• Place, cut side down, on a baking sheet.
• Bake in a 350 degree oven for 45 to 50 minutes or until tender.
• Use a fork to shred and separate the spaghetti squash into strands.
• Meanwhile, for sauce, in a large skillet cook chicken, onion, pepper and garlic until vegetables are tender.
• Drain fat.
• Stir in tomato puree, corn, beans, chili powder, cumin and oregano.
• Cook and stir until slightly thickened and bubbly.
• Cook and stir 2 minutes more.
• Put 1 cup spaghetti squash on serving plate.
• Spoon 1 cup sauce over squash and top each serving with 1/4 cup cheese.

HOW TO COOK SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350˚. With a sharp knife, very carefully cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise. (Stick the knife into the center of the squash, then cut down. Again, be careful!) Scoop out the seeds and pulp in the center and discard. Place the squash, cut side up, on a large baking sheet. Rub a little olive oil over the cut surface, then place the pan in the oven for 1 hour or until a fork is easily inserted into the squash.
• When the squash is cooked, use a fork to scrape the stringy squash out of the shell. Add the squash to a bowl; drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH PIE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Pierce squash with fork several times. Microwave on HIGH 15 min. or until tender when pierced with knife.
• Meanwhile, brown meat in large skillet; drain. Return to skillet. Stir in pasta sauce and 1/2 tsp. seasoning; bring to boil. Simmer on medium-low heat 5 to 8 min. or until slightly thickened.
• Cut squash in half; remove seeds. Scrape squash into large bowl. Add flour; toss to coat. Add butter, eggs, Parmesan and garlic; mix lightly. Spoon into 10-inch pie plate sprayed with cooking spray; top with meat sauce, leaving 1/2-inch rim around edge. Top with shredded cheese and remaining seasoning.
• Bake 30 to 35 min. or until squash mixture is heated through and cheese is lightly browned.

MOCK COCONUT PIE (SPAGHETTI SQUASH PIE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Beat the sugar and eggs together in a mixing bowl until light and frothy. Beat in the butter, lemon juice, and vanilla until well blended. Stir in the spaghetti squash. Pour the mixture into the prebaked pie shell. If desired, dust the top with nutmeg and cinnamon.
• Bake the pie in preheated oven until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool on a rack before serving. Garnish with whipped cream, if desired.