Believe it or not, dining out almost always inspires me to cook. It’s like the first time I saw a Jackson Pollack painting.

I can do that!

Well, not exactly. He did invent the concept and technique. Anyway, back to the blog. For instance, while Sallie and I were in Charleston a few weeks ago, we went to the seasonal, farm-to-table restaurant The Grocery. The menu consisted of the usual seafood choices for that area and a very interesting selection of vegetables. In fact, several of the appetizers were vegetarian. Sallie and I started with a plate of roasted carrots and a baked spaghetti squash!

Motivated upon my return, I was inspired to try to re-create the squash first. I did not ask for the recipe, but this is my attempt to duplicate the yummy dish from The Grocery.

Spaghetti Squash Bowl

Serves 4 to 6 as a side, or 2 as a vegetarian main course

1 spaghetti squash

Olive oil

1 cup good-quality marinara sauce

4 ounces fresh mozzarella “pearls”

12 basil leaves, chiffonade, and extra for garnish

½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

CAREFULLY cut the squash in half lengthwise. With a large tablespoon, scoop out all seeds, and discard. Drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place squash “cut side” down on a baking sheet, and cover tightly with foil.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until tender. (This may vary slightly depending on size of squash.) Remove from oven, and shred squash with the tines of a fork.

Place squash mixture back into the shells. Top with Parmesan cheese, and bake 25 to 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly and the cheese has melted.

Garnish with fresh basil.

My second squash recipe is quick and delicious and goes perfectly with steak, chicken, or any Mexican meal. Not only is it an inexpensive option, but it also looks beautiful on the plate. Think of it as a Southwestern succotash. If there are any leftovers, make a cheese and calabacitas quesadilla the next day. There are a million options for this simple recipe. Give it a try.

Leslie’s Calabacitas 

(A Southwestern Squash Sauté)

Serves 6 to 8

3 ears of fresh corn

2 yellow squash

2 zucchini

1 large sweet onion

1 to 2 fresh jalapeños, minced

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tablespoon butter

Salt and pepper to taste

Garnish with fresh basil, optional

With a knife, remove kernels from corncobs, and place in a medium bowl. Chop the remaining vegetables uniformly into a small dice (about ¼ to ½ inch); add to the bowl.

Heat olive oil to medium-high heat; add all vegetables and garlic, and stir continuously for 10 to 15 minutes or until tender. Add butter, salt, and pepper. Serve immediately.

Leslie Byars Register

Yields 6-8 Servings

Leslie’s Calabacitas

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Ingredients

• 3 ears of fresh corn
• 2 yellow squash
• 2 zucchini
• 1 large sweet onion
• 1 to 2 fresh jalapeños, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Garnish with fresh basil, optional

Instructions

1. With a knife, remove kernels from corncobs, and place in a medium bowl.
2. Chop the remaining vegetables uniformly into a small dice (about ¼ to ½ inch); add to the bowl.
3. Heat olive oil to medium-high heat; add all vegetables and garlic, and stir continuously for 10 to 15 minutes or until tender.
4. Add butter, salt, and pepper.
5. Serve immediately.

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https://dearpartydiary.com/squash-it/

It’s going to be a busy week as Jon and I try to get the garden planted. It’s time to plant herbs, vegetables, and flowers. Summer will be here soon. I hope!