Tag Archives: squash

Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai

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Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai

Pad Thai is a very popular Thai dish traditionally made with rice noodles. This recipe replaces the rice noodles with spaghetti squash, replacing refined grains with a nutritious vegetable. Spaghetti squash also has about 5 times less calories than most noodles or pasta! This recipe is based off of an authentic Pad Thai recipe from Basil Cookery School in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

 

Here are some possible substitutions. You can use more authentic ingredients if you can find them – check international markets:

  • Use rice noodles instead of spaghetti squash – but it won’t be as healthy! Or replace 1/2 of the spaghetti squash with rice noodles
  • Use oyster sauce instead of tamari/soy sauce
  • Use 2 tablespoons of tamarind paste instead of lime juice and brown sugar. This is a very unique flavor that is critical to authentic pad Thai.
  • To make this dish vegetarian, substitute the fish sauce for tamari/soy sauce or another fish sauce alternative and do not substitute oyster sauce for tamari/soy sauce.
  • To make this dish vegan, make it vegetarian (above) and omit the eggs.

Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai

Print recipe
Serves 4
Prep time 10 minutes
Cook time 50 minutes
Total time 1 hour
Dietary Diabetic
Meal type Main Dish
Adapted from an authentic Pad Thai recipe from Thailand, this recipe replaces rice noodles with spaghetti squash, which has about 5 times less calories!

Ingredients

  • 1 spaghetti squash
  • 14oz firm or extra firm tofu
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
  • 2 tablespoons shallots, minced
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup carrots, shredded
  • 1 cup bean sprouts
  • 1/4 cup reduced sodium tamari or soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar

Optional

  • 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
  • crushed peanuts
  • lime wedges

Directions

Step 1
Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut spaghetti squash in half and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Brush with 1 tablespoon oil and roast on a baking sheet, cut side down, for 35-45 minutes, or until tender. Set aside to cool.
Step 2
Meanwhile, drain tofu and cut in half lengthwise. Place slices between towels and place a heavy item such as a cast iron pan on top to press out excess moisture. Let sit for 10-15 minutes.
Step 3
Once spaghetti squash has cooled, use a fork to shred the flesh into strands. Set aside.
Step 4
Heat a wok or large skillet over medium heat. Add remaining oil, then shallots and garlic. Cook until fragrant, 30-60 seconds.
Step 5
Add tofu to pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until most sides are browned, about 8 minutes.
Step 6
Push tofu to one side of the pan and crack eggs into the open space. Stir until cooked, then add spaghetti squash, carrots, and bean sprouts. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes or until sprouts start to wilt.
Step 7
Mix tamari or soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, and brown sugar. Add to pan and stir to coat everything. Remove from heat and add optional garnishes.

Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai

Zucchini Breadsticks

Appetizers, Recipes, Sides, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Zucchini Breadsticks | guesswhoscooking.com | Healthy, vegetarian, dairy-free, low carb, cheesy without cheese, and can be made gluten-free

Craving cheesy breadsticks? Although this recipe won’t fool anyone, it is a fun and tasty way to dip something bready and even somewhat cheesy into marinara sauce. It is made with whole, real foods, including vegetables, whole grains or nuts (depending on your choice of flour) and eggs. It is free of refined grains and dairy, and can be made without gluten or grains by using almond meal.

Zucchini Breadsticks

Print recipe
Serves 4
Prep time 10 minutes
Cook time 27 minutes
Total time 37 minutes
Dietary Diabetic, Vegetarian
Meal type Appetizer, Bread, Side Dish, Snack, Starter
Swap out the flour for summer squash to make cheesy-tasting breadsticks that are much lower in calories and starch. A very tasty way to eat your veggies!

Ingredients

  • 4 yellow crookneck squash or zucchini
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup almond meal or whole wheat flour
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Directions

Step 1
Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and brush with olive oil.
Step 2
Cut the squash into 1 inch chunks, which should yield about 6 cups. Place half the squash into a food processor and pulse until it is finely chopped, but not mushy. Transfer to a large bowl and repeat with remaining squash.
Step 3
Squeeze some of the liquid out of the squash. When finished, it should yield about 4 cups of squash. Whisk eggs and add to squash. Add flour, nutritional yeast, salt, and garlic powder.
Step 4
Spread squash mixture onto prepared baking sheet and form into an even, thin layer, about 1/4 inch thick. Sprinkle with oregano. Bake for 25 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Move pan to top rack and broil for about 2 minutes or until top is golden brown.
Step 5
Place a large cutting board on top of the baking sheet and carefully flip it over to move the breadsticks to the cutting board. Cut in half lengthwise, then cut into 1-inch strips. Serve with warm marinara sauce.

 

Zucchini Breadsticks | guesswhoscooking.com | Healthy, vegetarian, dairy-free, low carb, cheesy without cheese, and can be made gluten-free
After pulsing in the food processor, squash should be finely chopped but not too small
Zucchini Breadsticks | guesswhoscooking.com | Healthy, vegetarian, dairy-free, low carb, cheesy without cheese, and can be made gluten-free
Form into an even layer before baking

 

Zucchini Breadsticks | guesswhoscooking.com | Healthy, vegetarian, dairy-free, low carb, cheesy without cheese, and can be made gluten-free

BBQ Pulled Squash

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BBQ Pulled Spaghetti Squash - guesswhoscooking.com

This recipe is vegan, but contains no fake meat analogs or anything weird. This recipe contains only 3 ingredients. If you prefer, you could use bottled BBQ sauce, but it will probably have more sugar and other undesirable ingredients. Spaghetti squash is not incredibly tender, so this recipe won’t be as soft as shredded meat, but throw it in a tortilla, a lettuce wrap, or a whole grain bun and it’ll be just fine.

Easy BBQ Pulled Squash (only 3 ingredients)

Print recipe
Serves 3 (about 1 cup each)
Cook time 45 minutes
Dietary Diabetic, Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Meal type Appetizer, Lunch, Main Dish, Side Dish
Misc Child Friendly, Pre-preparable, Serve Hot
Occasion Barbecue, Casual Party
This recipe is vegan, but contains no fake meat analogs or anything weird. This recipe contains only 3 ingredients. If you prefer, you could use bottled BBQ sauce, but it will probably have more sugar and other undesirable ingredients. Spaghetti squash is not incredibly tender, so this recipe won't be as soft as shredded meat, so throw it in a tortilla, a lettuce wrap, or a whole grain bun and call it a day!

Ingredients

  • 1 small spaghetti squash (yield 3 cups cooked)
  • 8oz tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • Salt to taste

Directions

Step 1
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Cut spaghetti squash in half, then scoop out seeds and discard. Place the 2 halves cut side down in a baking pan. Optional: add about 1/2 inch of water to the pan to help steam the squash.
Step 2
Place pan in the oven and bake for 30-45 minutes, or until squash easily shreds with a fork or until you can pierce easily through the skin with a fork. Set aside to cool.
Step 3
Once the squash is cool enough to handle, use a fork to shred the insides. Heat a large pan over low heat. Add tomato sauce and balsamic vinegar and stir. Add shredded squash and stir. Cook until the squash reaches desired tenderness, stirring occasionally, about 10-20 minutes. Add salt to taste.