It’s Monday which means we’re all getting back into the groove after our weekend activities, some of which may have involved grilling chicken. Is there leftover grilled chicken in your frig? Mine too. Here’s what I did with not only my leftover chicken, but with some of my spaghetti squash, the hot peppers with their mysterious levels of heat and the newest veggie to ripen in the garden, the grape tomato (more accurately tomatoes — they’re multiplying like rabbits — oh my!)
I usually pair spaghetti squash with the obvious marinara or recently with a cheeeeesy chicken Alfredo — kinda like the diet Coke with the Big Mac and yes, I’ve rocked that too! — but with all this fresh produce, I needed another option. Introducing . . .Mexican Spaghetti Squash.
It lacks the heavy, oh so bloated feel I usually get from overeating Mexican — so hard not to overeat it’s so yummy! — but with all the flavor!
Recipe ingredients can and should be adjusted to your taste and whatever leftovers you have in your frig. Feel free to jazz this up any way you desire — zucchini would also be delicious if you happen to have a drove of them from your garden —
If you haven’t cooked spaghetti squash before, here’s what you do — it’s really easy!
Cut it in half stem to stern or length-wise and with a spoon, hollow it out, getting rid of the seeds. Brush a small amount of olive oil around the edges only. Lay it face down on a cookie sheet and bake 25-30 minutes or until you can easily stick a fork into it. Turn it over and with that same fork, gently rake it, creating what sorta looks like angel hair pasta (but which even a blind man wouldn’t mistake the taste for, no matter what health nuts tell you — though it IS yummy all on its own).
Now you’re ready to fill/top the spaghetti squash and as far as the amount of cheese you measure throw in, well, far be it from me to judge you. Truly healthy eaters would say add a little cheese, but is it really a crime if you have enough cheese on this thing it strings out and leaves a thread of it on your chin? I don’t think so either. It’s the same as when “they” say we’re not supposed to drink alcohol in the morning. . .um, ever hear of brunch? Ole!
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