Hellllllooooo December!  Thought I would start off the colder weather with a hearty food post.  I love butternut squash and even more so when it is in spaghetti form!  It’s a great way to fool your kids, spouses, loved ones, and friends into eating something healthy.  

Spaghetti squash is a starchy vegetable that looks like spaghetti.  Its benefits are immeasurable; loaded with fiber, vitamin-A, vitamin-C, magnesium, and potassium.  Its caloric content for 1 cup plain ranges from 40-60 calories.  Meals are brightened with this addition since when cooked its flesh turns bright yellow or orange.  I often cube the squash or turn it into spaghetti by means of roasting.  A quick way for preparation is utilizing the microwave.  

Ingredients:

• 3 sprigs of rosemary; minced
• 1 medium-sized yellow spaghetti squash; halved into bowls with the pulpy insides and seeds scooped out
• 3 tbsp pomegranate seeds
• 1 pound skirt steak; cubed
• 2 tsp ground black pepper (or as desired)
• 3-4 tbsp olive oil to douse the steak (along with a drizzle to heat the frying pan)

Methodology:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Top a cooking sheet with parchment paper.  Place the halved spaghetti squash (aka bowls) with its outside shell directly on the paper.  
3. This step is optional but highly recommended – add a thin slice to the bottom of the squash bowls so they lay flat on the pan when roasting.
4. Roast the plain squash in the oven for 30 minutes or until tender.
5. Toss the meat with olive oil, black pepper, and rosemary until all pieces are uniformly covered.
6. While the squash is roasting, heat up a frying pan with a drizzle of olive oil under medium-high heat and cook the meat until as desired (I prefer rare-medium).
7. Add the pomegranate seeds to the meat and set aside.
8. Remove the squash and scoop out half of the insides.  Add the insides from the squash to the meat mixture and mix well.  
9. Evenly disperse the meat/squash mixture into the bowls and return to the oven for 7-10 minutes.
10. Remove from heat and cool for a few…
11. Pop open a bottle of full-bodied red vino and enjoy!

Disclaimer…  I recently started a membership with Club W which is an interesting way to learn about wine and its recommended food pairings.  It customizes wine recommendations based on a little test that you complete based on your taste preferences.  If you are tight with time this is a great way to get bottles that are fan favorites and well-priced ($16/bottle).  Best part is – its delivered to your doorstep!

xxx – Sarah