Spaghetti Squash With Pecans And Dates Food

SPAGHETTI SQUASH WITH PECANS AND DATES

Steps:

• Peel and seed 1 spaghetti squash; cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks. Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast on a preheated baking sheet at 450˚ until tender and browned, about 45 minutes. Brown 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat. Remove from the heat and stir in 1/3 cup chopped pitted dates, 1/4 cup chopped pecans, 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme and a pinch of salt; scatter over the squash.

QUINOA WITH PECANS, SAUTEED KALE AND DATES

Steps:

• Bring 3 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the quinoa and boil for 9 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Strip the kale leaves from the stems and chop into bite-size pieces. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large saute pan over high heat. Add the kale leaves and season with 1 teaspoon salt. Cook, tossing every 2 minutes, until the kale is charred, wilted and slightly browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the pecans, dates, lemon juice and 1 teaspoon salt and toss to combine. Toss in the quinoa and drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH WITH PARSLEY AND PECAN PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Rub the cut sides of the squash with 1 teaspoon of the olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Set the squash cut-side down on a baking sheet. Cut the tops off of the garlic heads, exposing the cloves but leaving the heads intact. Set the heads on a large piece of foil, drizzle with the remaining 1 teaspoon of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Wrap up the foil to make a pouch and place on the baking sheet with the squash. Bake until the squash is tender and the garlic soft and roasted, 35 to 40 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• When the roasted garlic is cool enough to handle, press out the cloves and add them to a food processor along with the minced garlic, toasted pecans, 1/2 bunch parsley and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Pulse until the ingredients are pulverized. With the motor running, drizzle in the 1/4 cup olive oil. Add the Asiago and lemon juice and pulse until just combined.
• Shred the squash into a bowl using a fork and toss with 1/2 cup of the pesto. Season with salt and pepper. Serve garnished with chopped parsley.