My Big Fat Greek Squash Recipes

GREEK-STYLE SPAGHETTI SQUASH WITH SHRIMP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Cut the spaghetti squash in half and scrape out the seeds with a spoon. Place the halves cut-side down on a rimmed baking sheet and roast until the halves look somewhat wrinkly and collapsed, about 50 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes.
• Use a fork to scrape the inside of the squash to form spaghetti-like strands and transfer to a large serving bowl.
• Heat the oil over medium heat in a very large, deep skillet (or even a large Dutch oven or pot). Add the garlic and saute until just golden, about 30 seconds. Add the shrimp and onion, season with salt and pepper and saute until the shrimp are pink and almost cooked through, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes, olives and oregano and saute until the mixture is hot and the shrimp are cooked through, another 2 minutes.
• Turn the shrimp mixture into the serving bowl and toss with the spaghetti squash. Sprinkle with the feta and serve.

GREEK SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Steps:

• Cut squash in half lengthwise, discard seeds.
• Place squash cut side down on a microwave-safe plate.
• Microwave uncovered on high for 15-18 minutes or until tender.
• In a skillet, sauté the chicken, onion, red pepper, garlic, oregano, basil, salt and pepper in oil until chicken is no longer pink.
• Stir in the spinach, artichokes and olives and cook until spinach is wilted.
• When spaghetti squash is cool enough to handle, use a fork to separate strands.
• Serve chicken mixture over 2 cups of squash.
• Sprinkle with feta cheese.

GREEK YOGURT WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Cut the squash at the bottom of its long neck, separating the squash into 2 pieces. Cut each piece lengthwise and scoop out the seeds from the bottom half. Cut each piece into 1/4-inch half-moons. Add the squash to a large bowl along with 2 tablespoons of the oil, 1 teaspoon salt and a couple grinds of black pepper. Toss to combine, and then arrange on the prepared baking sheet in an even layer.
• Bake on the center rack until the squash is tender but not mushy (the squash might not brown and that's okay), about 30 minutes. Set aside to cool at room temperature.
• Combine the Greek yogurt, orange juice, 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt and a couple grinds of black pepper in a medium bowl. Whisk to combine. Season with additional salt if needed.
• Toss the arugula with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, a pinch of salt and a couple grinds of pepper in a medium bowl.
• To serve, divide the yogurt among 4 plates, spreading it out into a thin layer. Then top with the butternut squash and arugula. Sprinkle with the pomegranate seeds and sunflower seeds.

MY BIG FAT GREEK SALAD

Steps:

• NOTE: MARINATE SALAD IN REFRIGERATOR FOR 30 MINUTES OR LONGER, THEN RE-SEASON WITH FINE SEA SALT AND RE-TOSS BEFORE SERVING.
• PEEL and slice red onion into 1/4" rings; PLACE onion slices in a bowl of cold water.
• REFRIGERATE bowl of water with onions until needed (the cold soak will diffuse sharpness and/or bitterness).
• PREPARE DRESSING: Finely grate 1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon zest. Knead and cut lemons into halves to juice, yielding 1 1/2 tablespoons juice. Whisk together all ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Set aside at room temperature to allow flavors to infuse. FOR A TANGIER DRESSING: Add up to 2 1/2 - 3 tablespoons extra red wine vinegar, plus sugar to balance acidity. FOR A LIGHTER DRESSING: Replace some of the olive oil with kalamata olive brine before adding sea salt, then adjust salt according to taste.
• PREP the remaining vegetables to specifications; DICE the feta cheese into 1-inch cubes.
• REMOVE onions from water and blot dry.
• COMBINE all ingredients except feta cheese in a large bowl.
• POUR the dressing over vegetables and gently toss until evenly blended.
• SPRINKLE top of salad with feta cheese (if desired you can gently fold feta with salad to moisten with dressing).
• SERVE and enjoy.