Moroccan Spiced Spaghetti Squash

Dear fellow texture lovers,

This is a keeper, I promise.  Just by virtue of this being a vegetable tossed with melted butter, spices, and a ton of garlic, it has to be good.  Just don't pretend it's a pasta substitute - because it's not, and that's not at all the intent of this recipe - but it does hit some of the same satisfying notes.

One of those notes is the ease with which this comes together.  I come home exhausted and hungry, and 30 half-assed minutes later, we have hot bowls full of wonderful garlicky strands.  I recommend.

This is originally from a recipe found on Epicurious, although I've upped the spice and garlic, and use a different cooking method.  In this case, microwaving the squash takes a fraction of the time it would take to bake it, and produces the same result.

You need:

1 large spaghetti squash (I usually buy the biggest I can find)

3 Tbsp butter (or butter mixed with olive oil, etc.)

2-3 cloves garlic (or more.  I like garlic.)

1 tsp cumin

2 tsp coriander

salt and pepper

something spicy, if desired

paprika (optional)

Cut squash in half (the only remotely difficult part of this recipe) and scoop out all the seeds.  Make goopy spaghetti squash monster hands at partner.  Place one half, cut side up, on a big microwavable plate, and cover with plastic wrap or a bowl, leaving room for ventilation.  Microwave 6-8 minutes, or until cooked.  Procure beer while waiting (recommended).  Remove cooked squash carefully (will be super hot) and fluff out the squash strands with a fork while the other half cooks.  In the meantime, melt the butter in a tiny saucepan and feel really cute doing so.  Mince the garlic, and add to the butter along with the spices, salt and pepper.  Warm the butter and spices just enough to cook the garlic a little, then toss the spiced butter with the squash, and if you're feeling dorky, serve it in the squash skin.  Garnish with paprika (I used Hungarian - for taste and color), and serve.

I once served this with lemony green olives on the side, and it was a hit.