Spicy Sauteed Spaghetti Squash

Version 1

1 medium spaghetti squash
3 TBSP butter, ghee, or coconut oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (or to taste)
pure salt

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Liberally prick the spaghetti squash with a fork to prevent it from bursting when baking.
• Place the whole squash on a baking sheet & bake for about 1 hour or until the squash is tender when pierced with a knife.
• Cool for 10 – 15 mins.
• Halve the squash lengthwise & discard the seeds.
• Use a fork to extract the stringy flesh & place in a bowl (drag the fork from one end of the squash to the other until all stringy flesh is removed).
• Heat ghee in a large skillet and add garlic & red pepper.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring until the garlic just begins to color, about 2 mins.
• Add the squash flesh & salt and toss together until heated through.

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(Don’t burn the pine nuts like I did this particular time!)

Version 2

1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
1 medium spaghetti squash
2 TBSP butter, ghee, or coconut oil
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
pure salt & freshly ground, black pepper to taste

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees
• Toast pine nuts in a dry skillet over low heat until just toasted (or you can put them on a baking sheet & bake in the oven for a few minutes). Careful not to burn them – they cook quickly!
• Set aside to cool.
• Liberally prick the spaghetti squash with a fork to prevent it from bursting when baking.
• Place the whole squash on a baking sheet & bake for about 1 hour or until the squash is tender when pierced with a knife.
• Cool for 10 – 15 mins.
• Halve the squash lengthwise & discard the seeds.
• Use a fork to extract the stringy flesh & place in a bowl (drag the fork from one end of the squash to the other until all stringy flesh is removed).
• In a large skillet, melt the butter over low heat.
• Add the squash strands, and toss while reheating.
• Stir in the pine nuts, basil, salt & pepper.

~  Definitely worth noting… These 2 versions are good combined into one. How can you go wrong adding garlic & red pepper to basil & pine nuts? I use any combination of these ingredients when I make this (depending on what I have on hand).

Enjoy!

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