The Gist of Life

spaghetti squash burrito bowls

Spaghetti squash:

  • n.noun

    1. A variety of winter squash (Cucurbita pepo) having a pale yellow rind and stringy flesh that when cooked forms strands resembling spaghetti (yahoo dictionary definition)

The other morning I was standing in the copy room with a couple of my colleagues. As I was waiting for my turn at the ONLY copy machine in our building, I couldn’t help but overhear the recipes that were being shared. One of my colleagues was explaining how she used spaghetti squash in spaghetti, instead of noodles. I HAD to know, “Was it gross?!”

I couldn’t imagine eating spaghetti with squash(!); tomato sauce, sausage, & squash?! No, no… it just wasn’t right.

But upon further convincing from my fellow English teacher, I thought I’d try it out; I decided to pick a different recipe, however, than spaghetti.

Spaghetti Squash Burrito Bowls

Gather the following ingredients:

  • 1 medium sized spaghetti squash
  • 1 can of black beans (drained)
  • 1 can of corn (drained)
  • 3 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 2 large bell peppers (I used red and yellow)
  • 1 large red onion
  • 1 cup fresh cilantro
  • 5 green onions
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Method:

Preheat the oven to 375 F and line cookie sheet with foil

Wash the spaghetti squash, and then slice off the stem (top). Cut squash into half (lengthwise), & use a spoon to scrape out the inside seeds (goop), & discard.

Rub a little oil on the inner edges of squash and place face down on foiled cookie sheet. Roast halves in the oven for about 45 minutes.

While squash is roasting, prepare the mixture: heat oil in saucepan over medium heat. Saute red onion (chopped) for a few minutes, and then add the peppers. Sprinkle with salt and pepper & cumin. Cook to desired softness.

image6When squash is done cooking, (allow to cool for a couple minutes), turn over and scrape out the cooked spaghetti squash, (consistency should look like angel-hair pasta!). You should remove about 3/4 of the cooked squash and place into a separate bowl.

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Start stuffing squash with mixture, (peppers, onions, etc..), top with spaghetti squash, & continue pattern (mixture, squash, mixture..), until full and contents are gone. Top with shredded cheddar & cilantro.

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Broil in oven for 5 minutes, until cheese bubbles.

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ENJOY!