Squash Squared {Vegan + GF}

We've been eating less & less meat around here.  Not really on purpose, but neither of us seem to be "craving" meat as much.   There's always the battle of finding good quality (sustainably raised) meat, save for a Whole Foods or Farmer's Market trip. Anyway, it's a cool time of year where both fall & summer squash share shelf space. (say that 5x fast...) ;)  This dish is tasty, nutritious....and great for pretty much any diet. Enjoy...

Acorn Squash Spaghetti Sauce 

• 1 acorn squash
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (mine came out of the garden...still going strong at the end of September!?)
• 1 small yellow onion (roughly chopped)
• 2-3 cloves garlic
• Olive oil (about 1/4 c)
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme or a few sprigs fresh
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
• Sea Salt, Fresh ground black pepper

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Cut your acorn squash into 4 equal pieces and remove seeds & pulp.  Drizzle olive oil,  salt & pepper over the squash, tomatoes, and unpeeled garlic cloves. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until you can stick a fork through the squash (doesn't have to be completely mushy).  Heat a few tablespoons of oil on a large skillet and heat to medium.  Cook onion until light brown.  When veggies come out of the Add your tomatoes, acorn squash, roasted garlic, 1 cup of water (or broth).  Add some S&P, thyme, red pepper and simmer until soft, stirring occasionally. At the very end, add the lemon juice, little more olive oil and blend with an immersion blender (LOVE mine!), food processor or a potato masher if you want it a bit chunkier. 


Yellow Squash Pasta

• 4 medium yellow summer squash
• Sea Salt

Slice squash lengthwise in strips and again so that it sort of resembles linguine. Toss it with a bit of sea-salt.  Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.  Cook squash for 3-4 minutes, until flexible but not mushy.

Drain pasta and serve with a few ladles of sauce, nice & hot. I topped it off with some Bragg's Sea Kelp Delight.  The acidity of the lemon & tomato gave this a great bite.  This makes a very flavorful side dish or meal. Grilled chicken or portabella mushrooms would be nice additions!