Maria MarloweWho needs noodles when you have spaghetti squash? The stringy noodles of this squash lends a twist to some fun dishes, like this Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai. Be amazed.
Once roasted, if you run your fork over the flesh of a spaghetti squash, it turns into noodle-like strands, making it a wonderful, nutritious alternative to regular noodles.
Benefits of Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai
Spaghetti squash is full of vitamin A and vitamin C, but it’s also a great source of potassium and magnesium. It’s a wonderful low-calorie and low-glycemic alternative to pasta.
Almond butter is an excellent source of Vitamin E, which supports skin, eye, cardiac, and immune system health. Additionally, as a great source of plant-based protein and healthy fat, almonds help keep you satiated, and research suggests they may even aid in weight loss.
Garlic may help lower cholesterol levels when consumed daily, and has been shown to exhibit antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai Recipe
Ingredients:
SQUASH
1 small or medium spaghetti squash
DRESSING
1/3 cup almond butter or peanut butter
1/8 cup tamari (gluten free soy sauce)
1-2 garlic cloves
1 green onions
1/2 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled
1/2 -1 tsp. red pepper flakes
Juice 1 lime
1 Tbsp. sesame seeds (or tahini or raw sunflower seeds)
1-2 Tbsp. water
TOPPINGS
1 Tbsp. sesame oil
2 cups mushrooms, sliced thin
1/2 block of tempeh, cut in 1 inch cubes
2 cups cabbage, sliced with a mandoline
1 carrot, sliced into 1/2 inch coins
pinch salt
2 Tbsp. water
4 Tbsp. sesame seeds or sunflower seeds (optional)
Instructions:
SQUASH
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Slice spaghetti squash in half, scoop out seeds, and place cut side down on a baking sheet. Bake 35-40 minutes, until a fork easily pierces the rind.
Remove from oven, and let cool slightly before using a fork to scrape the flesh into a bowl. (It will come out in spaghetti-like strands).
DRESSING
Meanwhile, put all sauce ingredients into a bullet blender and blend on high until sauce is made. Can thin by adding more water if needed. Put aside.
TOPPINGS
Heat oil in a frying pan over medium low heat. Add tempeh cubes and mushrooms and stir occasionally for about 5 minutes, until mushrooms are wilted and tempeh is golden. Add carrots and cabbage, with a pinch of salt and 1-2 tbs water. Stir occasionally for another 5 minutes. If your spaghetti squash is cold, you can add it to pan to warm through.
Remove to serving bowl, top with Almond Butter Dressing. Can sprinkle with sunflower seeds or sesame seeds for extra crunch.
Get the printable recipe here.
About the Author: Maria Marlowe is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach who has helped thousands of people improve their health by optimizing their diet. She has created meal plans and programs to help you lose weight, clear up acne, and spend less time in the kitchen yet still eat healthy.
She has been featured in Vogue, The New York Times, NBC, Well + Good, and more. Her first book, The Real Food Grocery Guide, will teach you how to eat healthy without going broke.
Check out her site, www.mariamarlowe.com, or follow her on Instagram @MariaMarlowe and Facebook for more healthy recipes.