Thursday, October 14, 2010

Let's Squash That Beef

Okay, so I don't really have beef to squash with anyone, but I like how "squash" trumps "beef" in this turn of phrase. Squash always trumps beef in my book. Doesn't this Spaghetti Squash with Fried Tofu look tastier (and healthier) than some old dumb beef spaghetti?

Although it's more Italian than downhome cookin', this recipe must be included in my cookbook. It's one of my favorite ways to eat stringy, baked spaghetti squash. Plus, it's pure comfort food, and what's more downhome than that?

Little bits of fried tofu, grape tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, and soy margarine combine to make a simple yet delicious topping for this low-calorie, fibrous twist on traditional wheat-based pasta.

I get so much joy from pulling the baked spaghetti squash strings out of the soft skin. At first, it looks all solid, like squash you could cut into cubes. But once you stick a fork in, the little "noodles" separate like magic. Winter squash is by far one of fall's (and winter's) best gifts.

Question: What's your favorite winter squash and how do you prepare it?

25 comments:

Kris said...

Okay, this looks awesome. Seriously awesome. Spaghetti squash is something that I'm always scared of and I inevitably buy one, it sits there, we stare at each other and it rots. :( This recipe looks very promising, however! Comfort food, indeed.

Unknown said...

Ahh, love spaghetti squash. I find really strong sauces tend to overpower the subtle/sweet squash, though, so I like to make a tomato-based sauce with lots of vegies and red lentils. Ahh addictive!!

T said...

I love spaghetti squash! I used to eat it with a really chunky tomato sauce with lots of roasted veggies. Butternut squash is my other fave, and I love it balsamic roasted with lots of garlic. Ahhh winter.

Anonymous said...

I got spaghetti squash roasting in the oven right now. 'Nuff said.


~Midnite

The Health Sensei said...

i love butternut squash the most, and our late favorite is doing a winter comfort-food roast. we take potatoes, squash, onions and garlic bulbs, add a little EVOO, salt and pepper, and roast them at 400F until tender.....absolutely yumminess and totally a cold-day comfort-food.

Leslie Kimel said...

Oh, this looks so good! And I just love your writing style!

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

I love butternut squash roasted with cinnamon, and spaghetti squash baked and tossed with pesto. Yum! :)

Unknown said...

My favourite is pumpkin. Obviously my favourite way to eat it would be in a vegan pumpkin pie, but I've also found that it's delicious in a pumpkin oatmeal!

Sarah S. said...

Delicata is my obsession, love being able to eat it skin on!

Erin said...

I'm so embarrassed that I have yet to have any winter squash this season! I blame our "indian summer". My fave is probably butternut squash in any form, although I still find them a pain to peel.

JohnP said...

Woah. Reason #56732 that your cookbook needs to be published right away. I like spaghetti squash, but I run out of ideas for ways to make it, and this looks awesome.

Anonymous said...

Oh to pick just one, mmm.. Maybe pumpkin. Or pumpkin, butternut, kabocha then acorn and spaghetti. Ya, I think that would be the order. I have a spaghetti squash right now, thanks for the great idea!

Lowen said...

My fav is pumpkin, although I really do love acorn, butternut, kabocha, spaghetti...all of the winter squashes I guess! while i love pumpkin in just about everything sweet there is, i love to cut the top off, scoop out the strands and seeds, and stuff it with brown rice, zucchini, garlic, shallots, onions and whatever other veggies that look delicious and roast it in the oven. when it's ready, you scrape down the sides of the pumpkin to mix with the rest of the filling and enjoy....right out of the pumpkin or in a bowl! :) I also love slow-cooked stuffed kabocha!

Vegan Epicurean said...

What a great post title. Thanks for the smile.

I love spaghetti squash too. In fact I have one just waiting to be cooked. Thanks for reminding me.

Ali

Anonymous said...

I LOVE spaghetti squash--it is hands down my *favorite* squash. Yum!

Courtney

Addicted to Veggies said...

ButterNUT.
Mainly because I just love saying it.
But also because I make a wicked cheezey spread with it too. And when you thinly spiral slice it (like Angel hair pasta) and toss it with a Tahini dressing it's DIVINE!
Man I freaking LOVE Autumn/Winter veggies.
Also, you're neat too.

xo

Chris said...

Yeah, this is definitely my favorite. I grew a couple in my garden last year. Your recipe looks killer!

Anonymous said...

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I would appreciate if a staff member here at vegancrunk.blogspot.com could post it.

Thanks,
Jack

Nathan said...

I love to bake my spaghetti squash with chilies, tomatoes, black beans other veggies and a corn bread topping. awesome

Brian said...

just i was wondering what we might make for dinner, i saw this come across my feed. we'll be making this as soon as we get home later today. this looks awesome. thanks for the great idea!

jessy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
jessy said...

squash trumps beef in my book too, Bianca. i'm right there with you. and might i add that your spaghetti squash dish looks marvelous and ooooooh-so yummy! actually, it's downright amazing sounding (and looking). yay! my favorite winter squash is delicata. i love to roast it and then smash it up with a little earth balance and sea salt. simple and delicious. hooray for rock'n squashes!

Anonymous said...

My fave is the one that begins with K...uhh I think it is a winter squash. I make fritters with it or conkies.
The name is kabocha squash I think it is a winter squash

Anonymous said...

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Bianca said...

Haha! Anonymous, that just made my day!! That song says "vegan crunk!" Crazy! Thank you for that! I'm gonna post a link on my blog tonight.