Seafood Pumpkin Spaghetti Squash Pasta {Paleo}

 Spaghetti Squash Pasta makes for an easy paleo pasta alternative! This gluten free Seafood Pumpkin Spaghetti Squash Pasta is topped with a miso pumpkin sauce and buttery scallops. A healthy lighter version of your favorite pasta dish. DIG IN!

Once you start with pumpkin (or spaghetti squash pasta for that matter), you just can’t stop. Like for reals. Toss some buttery scallops in with this obsession and you got yourself heaven on plate….. errr pasta bowl?? Whatever plating you so choose, it’s heaven. And as mentioned Monday, I’m officially ready for pumpkin. But thats not the only thing we’re ready for.

Yep, you guessed it. Squash-a-mania!! The fact that God made several different squash varieties makes me happy. I thank Him daily. Haha. I also thank Him for creating genius people who share their spaghetti squash pasta cooking “hacks.” More on this in a minute.

So, let’s talk about this dish, cause I am pretty sure you’re thinking…. “Oh I love me some spaghetti squash but this recipe sounds too complicated.” Am I right? Don’t worry, I get it. And I’m here to tell you that I’ve found a super easy way to make spaghetti squash pasta without all that stringy mess. Or without  it turning into mushy pasta. Okay I borrowed the idea/hack, but you get my point.

I’d also like you to know that the pumpkin sauce and scallops took all of 10 minutes. So technically, this seafood paleo pasta with miso pumpkin sauce is ready in under an hour. Major thrifty foodie points here ya’ll!!!

Anyway, here’s whatcha do.

First, cut your Spaghetti squash into rings. Yes horizontally. Width wise into ringlets. A heavy sharp chef’s knife is best to use.  It’s very sharp, just warning!

Scoop out the seeds in the middle.

Then, in order to dry out the noodles a bit, so they aren’t mushy post roasting, you will need to salt/brine these ringlets.  It’s not a necessity, and it does take 20 minutes of “waiting,” but it totally improves the texture! Rinse off salt before baking/roasting.

Add a little olive oil then in the oven we go! Bam!

While that’s cooking, you make your Asian inspired pumpkin sauce and scallops. Again, miso is not a necessity but it evens out the sweetness of the squash. You can also use a combo of tamari or gluten free soy sauce with sesame oil. I’m so fancy, I know. Kidding.

Lastly, you sear the scallops . And because I know many of you are fearful of cooking scallops, we’re gonna go over this again. Capeeesh?

Side note -> Sizzlefish has the best scallops! Like so easy to cook and hands down the best in flavor. I do not lie.

All you need is one pan, butter or oil, and your scallops (cleaned). Heat a pan on between medium high to high, add your butter. Once it’s starts sizzling, add your scallop. Add in your garlic and dash sea salt, pan sear for 6-8 minutes on medium high, flipping the scallops once or twice.

See, easy dish. Promise!

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Yields 3

Seafood Pumpkin Spaghetti Squash Pasta {Paleo}

Paleo Seafood Pumpkin Spaghetti Squash Pasta is topped with a miso pumpkin sauce and buttery scallops. A healthy lower carb version of your favorite pasta dish.

10 minPrep Time

40 minCook Time

50 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

For the spaghetti squash pasta
• 1 medium size spaghetti squash
• sea salt
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• baking pan
For the Asian pumpkin sauce
• 1 tbsp oil or butter (ghee for dairy free)
• 1 tsp minced garlic (2 small cloves)
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/3 cup coconut cream (or regular cream if not paleo)
• 2 tbsp gluten free miso paste (or mixing 1.5 tbsp gluten free tamari with .5 tbsp sesame oil works too. (see notes for more substitutes)
• 1/2 tsp chili pepper or cayenne
• optional 2 - 3 tbsp broth to thin out
• ground black pepper to taste
• herbs to garnish
For the scallops
• 8 medium scallops. Thawed and cleaned.
• 1 tbsp oil, butter, or ghee
• see notes for scallop substitutes

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400F
2. Cut your spaghetti squash horizontally into small ringlets. Use a heavy chef's knife to do so. Ringlets should be around 1-2 inches in width. see pictures above.
3. Then scoop out the seeds. Salt your squash (generously) and wait 15 minutes. This brines the squash to remove excess water before roasting.
4. After 15 minutes, rinse of the salt.
5. Place squash rings on baking tray and drizzle with olive oil or avocado oil.
6. roast in oven for about 30-35 minutes or until skin is more tender.
7. Remove from oven. Set aside to cool.
8. When cooling, make your sauce and scallops.
sauce
9. Place your garlic and oil in a sauce pan on medium low until it starts to "pop." Around 2-3 minutes. You will smell the garlic fragrance.
10. Next add in your pumpkin, coconut cream, miso, and spices. If too thick, add in a few tbsp of broth to thin out.
11. Mix and simmer for 10 minutes.
12. Add fresh black pepper last. Taste and adjust to your liking. More seasoning, salt, etc. if desired.
13. While sauce is simmering, cook scallops.
for the scallops
14. Place 1 or 2 tbsp oil or butter in a frying pan on medium heat.
15. Add your cleaned scallops.
16. Sear for 5-6 minutes on medium to medium high, flipping a few times.
17. Scallops will brown and will no longer be opaque.
18. if they start to crack, that means that are overcooked. It's better to cook 5-7 minutes max then remove from heat. They continue to cook once removed from heat.
Place it all together
19. Remove the peel from each spaghetti squash ringlet and pull out the strings from center. Place into a bowl. Strings should be attached in longer circle. Next separate the strands into "pasta" strands.
20. Add 1 tbsp more of oil or butter the bowl and toss together. If they pasta is cold, place in microwave safe dish and reheat for 45 sec or so.
21. Place spaghetti squash pasta into bowls.
22. Spoon 1/3 cup or more pumpkin sauce on top. Then add your scallops.
23. Garnish with basil or herbs of choice.
24. Extra red chili flake/pepper/salt if desired.
25. Dig in!

Recipe Type: main/pasta

Notes

For other miso substitutes you can use tahini or a miso soup base paste.

If you don't want to use scallops, feel free to use shrimp, pork, or chicken.

If vegan tofu or toasted almond slivers is a nice addition.

6.6.15

http://www.cottercrunch.com/seafood-pumpkin-spaghetti-squash-pasta/

Nutrition Per Plate

Tools to help you make this YUMMY paleo pasta!

Just in case you are not a scallop lover or have allergy, etc.  there is an option to make this paleo spaghetti squash “pasta” dish without seafood and vegan friendly. Just toast some slivered almonds and add those on top. Or replace scallops with other protein: salmon, chicken, shrimp, tofu, etc.

This dish is so versatile! Perfect for date night in, dinner party, or just when you need to spoil yourself and cook a good dinner for one.   Which should be every night, right? Mmmm, love those. You can hog all that squash!

Try this #Paleo Seafood Pumpkin Spaghetti Squash Pasta! A #healthy lighter version pasta dish.
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Are you spaghetti squash pasta fan? Pumpkin sauce fan? Seafood pasta fan? If you are all three, then we are meant to be best friends. That it is all.

Cheers!

P.S

A few weeks ago my husband was away on business. I had a date night in with myself. I picked this dish because it’s everything I ever wanted in a dish. All my favs. And you know what? It did not disappoint! I sat down at the table. Poured a glass of wine and enjoyed solitude with my meal. So yes, even though this dish may not aim to please everyone, it’s quite unique and I will never forget it. In fact, I plan on making it a regular date night in with me! Well… when I have those opportunities. Feel free to crash it anytime. I’ll save you some spaghetti squash pumpkin pasta!

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