Nice Gourds

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Winter Squash. Although these large vegetables can be a bit overwhelming there are tons of simple, and super healthy ways to prepare them. And the best part is they are low in carbs, high in fiber, and overflowing with flavor.

Here's a few of my favorite things to make with this season's prime produce:

Spaghetti Squash Spaghetti

Who knew this large yellow gourd was hiding such a bounty of pseudo spaghetti noodles in it's belly? Well, I guess anyone who read the name.....but that's beside the point!

This meal is sooo low in carbs and calories and completely filling. You'll also end up with about 4 days worth of noodles for other squashpeditions.

Ingredients

1 cup Spaghetti Squash (40 cals)
4 oz 99% Fat Free Jennie O' Ground Turkey (120 cals)
1/2 cup Spaghetti Sauce (Pick one with about 50 cals, under 6 grams sugar)

Directions

1. Take the whole Spaghetti Squash and poke it about five times with a fork or knife. Then microwave on high for 12 minutes (yes you read that right). Let it cool while you complete the next steps.

2. Work the ground turkey into a bunch of tiny balls and season with salt, pepper, and basil.

3. Spray a skillet with Pam and cook the ground turkey over high heat until it's cooked through.

4. Add the spaghetti sauce and turn the the heat down low to warm while you prepare the squash.

5. Cut the squash in half. It will still be hot so possibly wear oven mitts.

6. Scoop out all the seeds and pulp.

7. Take a fork and scrape the flesh of the squash; it will begin to flake away into "noodles."

8. Put about a cup of noodles on a plate, top with spaghetti meat and sauce, and serve!

You should have several cups of "noodles" left depending on the size of the squash. The ground turkey also comes in packages with about five servings so you can either make this meal for a group, or have a ton of leftovers.

Total Calories: 210 per serving


"Better than Spuds" Butternut Squash Fries

This recipe is so simple you won't need to save the directions. And it tastes so much like sweet potatoes fries, that you'll think they're sinful...but think again, these babies have half the carbs of their starchy sister.

Ingredients

1 Butternut Squash
Pinch of Salt

Directions

1. Turn oven to 425.

2. Peel the squash, then cut in half and remove seeds.

3. Chop squash into fry shapes.

4. Spray a baking sheet with Pam and place fries on pan. Sprinkle with salt.

5. Bake for 20 minutes, flip, and bake for 20 more.

6. Serve with ketchup, fat free ranch, or eat as is!


Total Calories: 80 per cup

After Dinner Acorn Squash

Acorn Squash has many uses but I like this easy recipe for an after dinner snack. Since the veggie itself has no sugar, I don't feel bad adding a little of my own to make it a super sweet dessert. And the 9 grams of fiber per serving are an extra treat!

Ingredients

1 Acorn Squash (85 for half)
1 Tbls. Raw Blue Agave Nectar (60 cals)-or your choice of sugar substitute (0)
A few sprays of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter (0)
Cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400.

2. Cut squash in half and remove seeds.

3. Spray a few spritzes of butter on each side and sprinkle with cinnamon and/or sugar substitute.

4. Bake for one hour.

5. Serve plain or with drizzle of agave syrup.

Total Calories: 85 per serving, 145 with Agave Drizzle

As you can see, squash is very versatile. And this is just the tip of the iceberg! For more mouth watering gourds, check out this list of what's blooming in winter.

Happy Harvesting!