Morrocan Spiced Spaghetti Squash

There are a handful of squash that I love - butternut, kabocha, red kuri and sugar pumpkin - and then there is everything else. Varieties such as acorn squash or delicata or spaghetti squash that I have not yet found THE recipe that will make me swoon. So when I was given a spaghetti squash I wracked my brain with what to do...what to do... A recipe that offered a combination of bold savory spices - cumin, coriander and cayenne surfaced. Here the spaghetti squash serves as a buttery and creamy canvas with dash of excitement. I'm still not sure if I like spaghetti squash but this recipe certainly does a good job of  elevating it from its bland base. Let me know if you have a favorite spaghetti squash recipe.



Moroccan-Spiced Spaghetti Squash
Adapted from Gourmet via Smitten Kitchen
Ingredients

• 1 (3 1/2- to 4-pound) spaghetti squash
• 1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Method

1. To cook the squash in a microwave: Pierce squash (about an inch deep) all over with a small sharp knife to prevent bursting. Cook in an 800-watt microwave oven on high power (100 percent) for 6 to 7 minutes. Turn squash over and microwave until squash feels slightly soft when pressed, 8 to 10 minutes more. Cool squash for 5 minutes.
2. To roast the squash, two methods: If you’d like to roast the squash whole, pierce it all over with a small sharp knife to prevent bursting and bake it in a 375°F oven for one hour. If you are good with a big, sharp kinfe, you can save some time by cutting the squash in half lengthwise, scooping out the seeds and roasting the halves face-down in an oiled baking pan for about 40 minutes in a 375°F oven.
3. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until it is barely golden. Stir in spices and salt and remove from heat.
4. If you have microwaved or roasted your squash whole, carefully halve it lengthwise (it will give off a lot of steam) and remove the seeds.
5. Carefully halve squash lengthwise (it will give off steam) and remove and discard seeds. Working over a bowl, scrape squash flesh with a fork, loosening and separating strands as you remove it from skin. Toss with the spiced butter and cilantro.