The crisp texture of the spaghetti squash softens this classic combination of apple, cheese and toasty nuts. The watercress and daikon sprout salad create a surprise of spice and pepper!
Cooking Category: Weeknight/Light Fare
Skill Set: Novice/Easy Cooking
Product Availability: All year
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
Servings: 4 appetizers or 2 main courses
| Pancake | |
| spaghetti squash | 2 cups, cooked |
| toasted pecans | 2 tablespoons, chopped small |
| Maytag blue cheese | 2 tablespoons, (more or less depending on preference) |
| fennel | 2 tablespoons, chopped |
| fine chives | 2 tablespoons, chopped fine |
| shallots | 1 tablespoon, minced (about 1 shallot) |
| egg | 1 whole |
| salt & white pepper | to taste |
| Salad | |
| watercress | 2 bunches (just the leaves, as few stems as possible) |
| fresh small white corn | 1 cob (cooked, kernels removed from cob) |
| French green beans | 1 cup, cooked (about 40, small variety are best) |
| *daikon radish | 1 cup |
| sweet red pepper | 1/3 pepper, chopped small |
| Fuji apples | 2-3, peeled and sliced thin |
| rice wine vinegar | 2 teaspoons |
| apple cider vinegar | 2 teaspoons |
| olive oil | 2 teaspoons |
| sea salt | to taste |
| Garnish (optional) | |
| crème fraiche (in the dairy section) | 1/2 cup |
| sweet red pepper | 2 tablespoons, chopped small |
| chives | 2 tablespoons, chopped |
Spaghetti Squash & Pancake — early prep
The spaghetti squash may be cooked up to 4 days ahead and kept refrigerated. Pierce squash with a few fork holes on top. Place pan on rack below squash to catch any drippings. In a 300 degree oven bake squash for 1 hour 15 minutes. Let cool at least 2 hours before cutting. Cut open lengthwise and remove seeds. Scrape meat out with a fork in strands similar to spaghetti. Pancakes may be made up to 1 day ahead and kept refrigerated.
Crème Fraiche
Combine with 2 tablespoons sweet red pepper and 2 tablespoons chive, refrigerate until ready to use.
Pancake Prep
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Press into 6 cakes.
Salad Prep
In bottom of large salad bowl, combine vinegars and salt. Place all ingredients, except olive oil, on top of vinegar mixture and let stand while cooking the pancakes.
Let’s Cook
Heat olive oil in a pan on medium high heat. Cook pancakes until deep golden, about 4 minutes on each side.
Meanwhile
Drizzle olive oil and toss salad.
To Plate
Plate salad on one side and pancakes on the other.
Optional: Top with crème fraiche mixture or serve on the side in a small ramekin.
Why is this a Healthy Gourmet Dish?
This dish is packed with fiber! The protein and fat from the nuts, olive oil and cheese are good fats in moderate portions. The complex carbohydrates are from all those delicious fresh veggies and just what we need for energy! If you want to reduce the fat, use mozzarella. Keep the cheese and the nuts — they are a great source of protein! Remember, fresh corn has 5 grams of protein per cup!