BAKED MARGARITA SPAGHETTI SQUASH

By á-41035

Ingredients

• 1 LARGE SPAGHETTI SQUASH
• 2 TBS. OLIVE OIL
• 1 LARGE ROMA TOMATO, FINELY CHOPPED
• 2 TBSP. FINELY CHOPPED FRESH BASIL
• 1/4 CUP SHREDDED MOZZARELLA CHEESE
• 1 TSP. EACH SALT AND PEPPER
• 1 TSP. GARLIC POWDER

Preparation

Step 1

PREHEAT OVEN TO 400 DEGREES

USING A LARGE KNIFE OR CLEAVER, SLICE THE SPAGHETTI SQUASH IN HALF LENGTHWISE DOWN THE MIDDLE. USE A SPOON TO REMOVE THE SEEDS AND CENTER STRINGS. DRIZZLE THE TWO HALVES WITH OLIVE OIL AND THEN SPRINKLE WITH SALT, PEPPER AND GARLIC POWDER. PLACE THE SQUASH, OPEN SIDE DOWN ON A COOKIE SHEET AND BAKE FOR 30 MINUTES. REMOVE FROM THE OVEN, CHECK TO SEE IF THE SQUASH IS SOFT AND EASILY COMES UP WITH A FORK INTO A SPAGHETTI LIKE TEXTURE. IF IT'S TOO HARD TO REMOVE, COOK FOR ANOTHER 10 MINUTES. REMOVE FROM THE OVEN, SCRAPE AND FLUFF THE STRINGY SQUASH WITH A FORK. LEAVE THE SQUASH IN THE SKIN. TURN THE OVEN UP TO BROIL. ADD THE TOMATOES AND FRESH BASIL INTO THE SQUASH, STIR AND TOP WITH THE MOZZARELLA CHEESE. PLACE IN THE BROILER FOR 3-4 MINUTES, UNTIL THE CHEESE IS MELTED AND SLIGHTLY BROWNED. ALLOW TO COOL FOR 5 MINUTES BEFORE SERVING THE SQUASH