Friday 13 December 2013

Eleven Days, and the Miracle of Spaghetti Squash

The countdown to the big day is on.  Less than two weeks until Christmas.  Despite the inevitable stress that comes with this time of year, there have also been some fa-la-la moments.  Christmas concerts, pot-lucks, and parties.   And the fetching of the tree.  I suspect this one may be Italian.  It leans, Pisa style.  No matter how we adjust it in the tree stand, it won't stand straight.  


I managed to get through the rest of the photos I took during our weekend in Chicago.



As we've added seasonal merrymaking to our already full schedules, meal times have become even more rushed than usual.  I have a few quick meals in my arsenal, including this one that showcases the miracle of spaghetti squash.  

The idea of living on peppermint and gingerbread for the next few weeks is tempting, but I feel compelled to make sure we're eating some real food along the way.
It amazes me how this:


...can become this.  Miraculous.


Some steaming, shredding, seasoning, and a few add-ins... and dinner is ready.


Funny how one spaghetti squash can yield so much, yet an entire bag of spinach amounts to so little after a quick stir around a hot pan.



How to Prepare Spaghetti Squash

Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds.  Place cut side down on a microwave safe plate with a small amount of water.  Microwave on high for 6-8 minutes.  The squash is ready when the shell can be pierced with a fork.  Let it sit for a few minutes.  When it's cool enough to handle, shred the flesh with a fork, working lengthwise from one end to the other.  At this point you can eat it just the way it is, with some butter, salt & pepper... or get a little more creative with add-ins.  I wilted spinach with some olive oil and garlic and combined it with the spaghetti squash, along with some leftover peppers and onions from fajitas the night before, and some cooked seasoned chicken.


Spaghetti squash is low in calories, high in nutrients, and really tasty.  An added bonus: the seeds can be roasted just as you would roast pumpkin seeds!

  

Thank you for the feature!

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59 comments:

  1. I've never made spaghetti squash. You make it look so easy; I just might need to try it. Thanks for sharing at Food on Friday.

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  2. This looks good, and oh-so-healthy! That means you can eat a lot of gingerbread for dessert, right?

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  3. We love squash, but I've not tried spaghetti squash. Looks good though. #pocolo

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  4. What exactly is a spaghetti squash? Kind of looks like a whiter fleshed Butternut pumpkin. I don't think we have it over here - I wonder what I could use instead? Recipe looks great; quick easy and healthy! :)

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  5. I may have to give spaghetti squash a try myself - looks really appetising. Thank you for linking to PoCoLo x

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  6. Wonderful photos! Might have to give that spaghetti squash a try too. It looks great :)
    #PoCoLo

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  7. I love spaghetti squash and keep getting one in my co-op pick-up the past few times. I'm going to have to try this recipe with the one I have now. :-) I found your blog through The Great Blog Train! You can check out my blog, Meg’s Menagerie, at http://megmeg77.wordpress.com/ Have a great week!!!

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  8. Looks like a tasty dinner! Spaghetti squash is one of the things I plan to plant in mass quantities this year!

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  9. I've never had Spaghetti Squash, but have always wanted to try it!

    Thanks for joining the Link Up this week!

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  10. Great photos! Heading over from the BlogLovin Hop :) Looking forward to all your posts!

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  11. I keep meaning to try spaghetti squash, then chicken out at the store. This looks so good, I just have to try it. Or just eat the gingerbread.....

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  12. That looks fab! Must try it out, my sort of meal. #MagicMoments

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  13. I love this post. First, you are too cute with your Italian Christmas tree! I found myself nodding over your comparison of spaghetti squash to spinach. While I've never cooked spaghetti squash, I cook spinach often and always find myself thinking I should have cooked more! My son would get a kick out of making spaghetti squash, I think. Did not know that the seeds can be roasted. Now that I've written you a book. ..
    Thank you for linking this week and enlightening me.

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  14. Spaghetti squash is a miracle. So easy ans so healthy.

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  15. I love spaghetti squash and this looks like a delicious and healthy recipe that I need to try. Thanks for sharing. Visiting from Tuesday With A Twist Blog Hop.

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  16. I've used spag. squash a few times but I need to branch out and try some new recipes with it. Looks delish!

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  17. This looks so yummy! I'm always looking for ways to add more veggies to my very limited diet. I love it! Pinning it for sure!!
    I found your post from Share your Stuff Tuesdays at Our Table for Seven!!
    Thanks for sharing!!

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  18. Great tree! And great dish using spaghetti squash. I LOVE it, but the kiddos aren't crazy about it. They might eat it this way though. Thanks for sharing at Simple Supper Tuesday.

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  19. This looks really good! I like to use spaghetti squash, but the only way I've done it so far is with pasta sauce, meatballs, and cheese. I will have to try this one sometime!

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  20. I have never cooked this in the microwave...but now I will. In fact, I have one that is needing to be cooked right now. Thanks

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  21. I've never made spaghetti squash but I keep hearing awesome things about it. I really need to try it!

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  22. You certainly got great shots in Chicago. The food looks so yummy! Have a good Wednesday Jenn!

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  23. How much fun! I love Chicago, and it's been too long since we last visited.
    We love spaghetti squash, and I'm actually cooking it tonight! :D I'm thinking about making a nice light lemon vinaigrette and tossing the squash in it. What do you think???

    xo,
    RJ

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  24. this looks delicious! thanks for linking up with #MagicMoments

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  25. This looks like a dish that my family would enjoy. Pinning :-) hopping over from Fluster Buster party

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  26. That looks so delicious! And spinach does shrink a ridiculous amount!
    Thanks for sharing this at A Humble Bumble :)

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  27. I LOVE spaghetti squash. One of the most amazing foods I've discovered as an adult.

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  28. Great ideas for the spaghetti squash! Squash is one of my go-to staples because it can be used SO MANY ways! just popping over from the Brag About It Link Party. I have pinned & liked. I would love it if you would drop by my site at http://www.kneadedcreations.com for a short visit! I will look forward to seeing you there! Deb @ Kneaded Creations.

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  29. I love the simplicity of this recipe. I will have to put it into my arsenal of recipes. Thanks! Found you from the Thumping Thursday bloghop. Check out my blog at http://immovingalong.blogspot.com

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  30. Love your recipe for Spaghetti Squash! =)
    Stopping by from "Thursday Favorite Things"!

    Im a GFC and Pinterest follower!

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  31. Stopping by from Thursday Thumping hop. Your post makes me feel Christmas in full swing. :-) Happy Holidays.

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  32. Yummy! Thanks for sharing on my blog hop! http://contentemeant.blogspot.com/2013/12/what-are-you-doing-wednesday-blog-hop-33.html

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  33. You're making me crave spaghetti squash! I now want spaghetti squash with spinach onions chicken and garlic!! (Too bad that I don't have spaghetti squash or spinach in the house right now :) )

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  34. G'day! While not a fan of spaghetti squash, I might have to try it again based on your photos and recipe!
    Cheers! Joanne
    Viewed as part of Foodie Friends Friday Anything Goes Party

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  35. Wow, so many pretty photos from your trip! Looks like a great time. Your squash recipe looks amazing, I've never been much of a squash fan but I bet I'd even like that :) haha. Thanks for linking up with photography Friday!

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  36. This looks so tasty, and being healthy is a great plus! Also, the Disney store looked like a lot of fun. Thank you for linking to the In and Out of the Kitchen Link Party. Hope to see you next time.

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  37. Mmmm...squash and spinach. I'm not a big veggie fan, but I've started to love these 2 in the past few years. This dish looks delish!

    Thanks so much for sharing on Turn It Up Tuesdays! We love having you! :)

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  38. Spaghetti squash is the best! It's one of my fav veggies now and it's so versatile! Thanks for sharing :)

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  39. Hi Jenn,
    What an awesome dish of Spaghetti Squash, we would just love this combination. Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a very Merry Christmas!
    Miz Helen

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  40. I have never tried to make this before. It looks delicious! Thanks for linking up with "Try a New Recipe Tuesday." I hope you will be able to join us again this week. http://our4kiddos.blogspot.com/2013/12/try-new-recipe-tuesday-december-24.html Merry Christmas!

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  41. I love to find a new recipe, we love spaghetti squash and your dish really looks great. Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop! I hope you’ll join us again next week!

    Cheers,
    Kathy Shea Mormino
    The Chicken Chick
    http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com

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  42. Spaghetti Squash is amazing...great post because I was intimidated by it for so long...hopefully you demystified it for lots of people!

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  43. This recipe looks delicious!

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  44. Looks so good. We love spaghetti squash at our house. Thank you so much for linking this recipe up at Recipe Sharing Monday! The new link party is up and I'd love to see you back. Have a great week. :)

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  45. Thank you for linking this up with recipe writers this month! I can't wait to try it.

    Amanda Rose
    sewmuch2say.com

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  46. That looks delish! Have always wanted to try spaghetti squash this way. Guess it's time to get on it.
    I'm hopping over from the #WhyFakeItJustMakeIt link-up.

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  47. Never heard of spaghetti squash before. Brilliant. And it looks super easy.
    Thanks for linking up your recipe with us. #whyfakeitjustmakeit

    mamaandthecity.com

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  48. I've recently become a huge fan of winter squash and have been looking to try out spaghetti squash. This recipe sounds perfect! I'm stopping by from Future Expat's spinach party.

    -Lauren @ imperfectandfabulous.blogspot.com

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  49. WOW does this look GREAT!! We LOVE spaghetti squash ... I will definitely be making this!! Visiting from The Pin It Party :-)

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  50. I have not ventured out & tried the spaghetti squash but hear it is wonderful. Maybe soon
    Thanks for linking up at the Bloggers Brags Weekly Pinterest Party

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  51. Spaghetti squash is so good and I really like your recipe with the spinach! Sounds so healthy and delicious. Stopping by from Tasty Tuesdays party.

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  52. YUM!, I've always just added salt & butter to mine, I can't wait to try your recipe!! :) Michelle

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  53. Spaghetti squash is so fun and I need to have more ways to make it than just putting spaghetti sauce on top, so thank you. I agree about spinach - so annoying! Pinned!

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  54. We love spaghetti squash in our house! It's so easy, and so versitile!

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  55. I love spaghetti squash! Thanks for sharing on the Healthy Living Link Party.

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  56. This looks really delicious. Thank you for sharing at the Recipe Swap.

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