By this point you should have your Thanksgiving menu decided upon and your grocery list done. HA! I have fragments of ideas ricocheting around in my brain and past issues of favorite Bon Appétit Thanksgiving issues opened to appetizing sides, and still confuse myself by gazing at delicious creations in the blogosphere.
Two things have been decided upon: for the first time I didn’t order an organic turkey, but rather a diminutive boned turkey breast and, with most of October spent traveling and College Girl only having four days off, we are looking forward to a quiet Thanksgiving at home and not being among the thousands of travelers flying the unfriendly skies!
So today’s post is a quickie because I’ve got work to do – and so do you 😉 I’m not going to tempt you with yet another idea for a Thanksgiving side, but rather a rustic, flavorful vegetarian dish that’s sure to please any non-carnivores or gluten intolerant guests at your feast as well as fulfill everyone’s craving for lighter fare after days of indulging in turkey and all the rich fixins. My Moroccan obsession, first realized in June with Moroccan Chicken and Green Beans, was reignited after reading Food Wandering’s review of Paula Wolfert’s The Food of Morocco cookbook. I guess I didn’t win that giveaway, darn!
Silken strands of Spaghetti squash became the vehicle for my rendition of Moroccan tomato jam flavored with aromatic Ras el Hanout*, cinnamon, and saffron water. When Shulie said that nearly all the recipes in the cookbook that include saffron, add it in the form of saffron water—crumbled, dried, and crushed saffron threads soaked in warm water – and, besides being more economical, it brings out more of the spice’s aroma and flavor; I was excited to try it.
- 1 spaghetti squash
- Roasted Spaghetti Squash
- 1- 28 oz. No-salt added plum tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided use
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 1 teaspoon Ras el Hanout
- 2 tablespoons saffron water
- 1 tablespoon honey*
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 8 oz. package spinach
- Garnish: Sesame seeds
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Rinse whole squash. Using a meat fork, poke 6 holes in the skin. Microwave for 12 minutes. Allow to cool. Cut in half, scoop out seeds and discard. Using the meat fork, scrape the squash pulp out of the shell and transfer to a glass bowl. Set aside. I used only one of the halves for this recipe and saved the other for another use.
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Meanwhile, prepare the saffron water. Crush 1/2 teaspoon of saffron threads, add to a heated pan, stir for a minute to release the flavors. Remove and crush again. Pour 1 cup hot water over. Reserve 2 tablespoons and refrigerate the remainder in a glass container for up to 3 weeks.
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Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add crushed garlic, cook for 1 minute. Add the Ras el Hanout and cook for another minute to release the flavors.
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Add the tomatoes, using a large spoon to break into chunks. Add the saffron water. Cook until all liquid is evaporated and you ‘re left with a thick jam, stirring to prevent the mixture from sticking and browning. About 15 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in cinnamon and honey.
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In a medium-sized skillet, saute the spinach in a tablespoon of olive oil and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes over medium heat until softened. Mix in spaghetti squash. Top with tomato jam and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
You can also roast the squash if time permits or the day before. To roast: slice the squash in half lengthwise, place in a baking dish cut side down with 1/2 inch of water and roast at 350°F until a fork an easily be inserted into the flesh, about 35-45 minutes depending on size.
**Vegans can substitute raw sugar, agave, brown rice syrup or other preferred sweetener for the honey.
Enjoy!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
*Ras el Hanout can contain more than 30 ingredients and is a traditional Moroccan blend of herbs and spices, popular across the Middle East and North Africa. The name means “head of the shop” in Arabic and represents the very pinnacle of spice blends – for Moroccan souks (spice merchants) it’s a point of honor to have the most sought after version of this blend. Ingredients include saffron, paprika, cumin, ginger, coriander, tumeric, fennel seed, and allspice to name a few. I’ve been in love with a quality aromatic blend of Ras el Hanout from Awaken Savor Spices since “discovering” them at the Taste of Huntington Beach two years ago and use the spice to flavor stews, soups, eggs, and as a dry rub or mixed with olive oil to brush on meats, poultry, or fish.
Trix
November 22 at 11:20 amFunny, I have a spaghetti squash sitting in my kitchen … waiting to help me detox, lol! And don’t feel bad, I haven’t even made a shopping list yet.
RavieNomNoms
November 22 at 12:57 pmThis looks awesome!! I love the tomato jam that just looks wonderful. I wouldn’t be able to have just one helping of that!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Priscilla!
Isabelle @ Crumb
November 22 at 4:53 pmThis looks wonderful! I always mean to try out new ways of preparing spaghetti squash, but then I end up getting lazy and just toss it with a little butter and salt and pepper instead… but Moroccan flavours are my kryptonite, so that tomato jam just might convince me to put in a little more effort next time around. 🙂 Must remember to grab a squash next time I’m at the market so I can try it out!
Kiri W.
November 22 at 5:13 pmOoh, nice! I love spaghetti squash the “Italian” way, but since spending time in morocco when I was 11 years old, I’ve loved Moroccan cuisine. This is a great new perspective on spaghetti squash for me, thank you for sharing! 🙂
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November 22 at 7:22 pmOh I have been looking for a tomato jam recipe! Perfect timing Priscilla. Hope you have a great thanksgiving.
Angie's Recipes
November 23 at 2:56 amThis looks mouthwatering! Love tomato jam!
Roxana GreenGirl {A little bit of everything}
November 23 at 12:11 pmHappy Thanksgiving Priscilla. I love Moroccan cuisine and your spaghetti squash idea sounds delish!
Curt
November 23 at 2:20 pmSounds delicious. I like the cinnamon and garlic in there!
5 Star Foodie
November 23 at 5:35 pmsuch amazing flavors with Ras el Hanout and saffron water! Happy Thanksgiving!
Geez Louise!
November 23 at 9:12 pmHappy Thanksgiving friend! Tell Chloe I say, “hi”! tomato jam is something i’ve been thinking about for some time… hopefully i will see you soon, love your new site and the recipes- perfect for your hubby..
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen
November 27 at 1:16 amThe spicy Moroccan tomato jam sounds fantastic with spaghetti squash!
Priscilla
November 27 at 1:44 pmThanks, Sylvie! It was quite delicious 🙂
Nancy
November 27 at 12:34 pmHi Priscilla, I hope you had a nice and relaxing Thanksgiving 🙂 Spaghetti squash is one I look for every year, haven’t found it yet. I really love how you turned this dish into a nicely spiced faux pasta. Looks amazing! Love your little bowl too.
Priscilla
November 27 at 1:43 pmThank you, Nancy! Spaghetti squash is one of my favorites and we can find it in stores year round – wish it wasn’t so difficult for you to find in the markets where you live. Thanksgiving was more relaxing than usual this year 🙂
Monet
November 28 at 4:19 pmSpaghetti squash is one of my winter/fall favorites! My mom loves it and she passed that love onto me! Thank you for sharing such a tempting meal with me. I hope you are having a happy start to your week!
Magic of Spice
November 29 at 1:40 pmOh my goodness does this ever look delicious…love the flavors in the jam! Beautiful too 🙂