Travel Destinations & Culinary Adventures

squash

Gnocchi with Italian Sausage, Yellow Squash, and Spinach

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Do you shop at the farmers’ market in your town? Lately, I’ve traveled downtown to the market looking for locally grown vegetables and Kansas-sourced meat to use in new recipes. Since becoming a gardener, I’m more interested in knowing where my food comes from and how it is treated before I eat it.

The benefit of shopping locally is ten-fold, but some of the primary reasons I enjoy it is because 1.) The produce is organic and better in flavor 2.) I’m supporting the livelihood of Kansas farmers. 3.) I enjoy making friends with fellow foodies and discussing recipes.

I prepared Gnocchi with Italian Sausage, Yellow Squash, and Spinach after purchasing two yellow squash and a box of fresh pasta from market vendors. Inspired by the ingredients and a similar recipe by Gordon Ramsey, I prepared an easy, weeknight meal full of flavor and layered in texture. The pasta dish turned out to be scrumptious. I loved the pillowy soft gnocchi (made from potatoes!) with the chunky veggies and sausage crumbles. Consider making it for your family this week.

Gnocchi with Italian Sausage, Yellow Squash and Spinach

One Delightful Life
A hearty and healthy meal perfect for using up fresh vegetables.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 -5 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 14 oz. gnocchi
  • 1 lb. ground mild Italian sausage
  • 2 T. olive oil
  • 2 diced yellow squash
  • 3 diced garlic cloves
  • 1/2 bag of baby spinach
  • 1/2 pint of cherry tomatoes
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Shredded Parmesan

Instructions
 

  • Brown the ground sausage on medium high until broken down and caramelized.
  • Remove sausage from the pan and drain on a plate of paper towels.
  • In a separate pan, add the olive oil over medium heat.
  • Add the diced yellow squash and stir occasionally until the squash is softened.
  • Add the diced garlic and stir until incorporated.
  • Add the spinach, tomatoes, and stir.
  • Add the drained sausage to the squash, garlic, spinach, and tomatoes. Stir until well mixed and turn the stove on low.
  • In a large saucepan, bring salted water to a rolling boil.
  • Add the gnocchi and stir it occasionally for 2-3 minutes until the pasta floats. Using a slotted spoon, drain the gnocchi by the spoonful and add it to the pot of sausage and vegetables. Gently fold it all to incorporate the ingredients.
  • Add salt and pepper and sprinkled Parmesan on each serving while hot.

You could also sprinkle a few ribbons of fresh basil on top of your warm bowl of pasta. I didn’t choose to do that since the gnocchi I purchased was already flavored with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes.

If you love tomatoes, add more! Wish this recipe included mushrooms? Don’t have yellow squash; have zucchini instead? Trust yourself to swap or add ingredients.

If you make this recipe for two people, you’ll have at least two servings leftover for the next day’s lunch! Of course, let me know what you think of this yummy weeknight meal in the comments below.

Oh, and if you LOVE squash, try my recipe for Buttery Spaghetti Squash with Garlic and Feta. It’s a delightful side dish for any fall season meal.

Buttery Spaghetti Squash with Garlic and Feta

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There’s no faking the deliciousness of this side dish.

For those eaters who are unsure about squash or perhaps tried it before unsuccessfully, I encourage you to trust me on this one. Butter Spaghetti Squash with Garlic and Feta is incredibly tasty. This is not your grandma’s steamed squash.

To the cooks who haven’t made squash with these flavor combinations, hold on to your hot pads!

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The beauty of making this side dish is that it is simple. All you have to do is poke it, bake it, scoop it, and serve! You could make this for a evening dinner with your family or to serve as a Thanksgiving side dish.

Step 1: Use a sharp knife and poke several slits into the skin of your spaghetti squash.

Step 2: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Place the squash on the foil lined baking sheet.

The beauty of cooking with baked spaghetti squash is that it is easy to incorporate flavors into it such as tomato sauce and mozzarella with sausage or in this case keeping it simple with savory butter and garlic and parsley. Of course, don't forget the creamy...the feta! Oh, wait, goat cheese would also be great with sun dried tomatoes.
The beauty of cooking with baked spaghetti squash is that it is easy to incorporate flavors into it such as tomato sauce and mozzarella with sausage or in this case keeping it simple with savory butter and garlic and parsley. Of course, don’t forget the creamy…the feta! Oh, wait, goat cheese would also be great with sun dried tomatoes.

Step 3: Bake 1 hour 30 minutes.  Remove using hot pads because it is blazing hot and likes to roll around. You can handle it like a football. Wow, I’m having flashbacks of playing Hot Potato in elementary school.

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Step 4: Cut the hot squash length-wise and allow it to cool. Then, remove the seeds with a spoon just like you would a pumpkin.

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Step 5: Once the seeds are removed, use a fork inside each squash half to create the “spaghetti” texture.

Step 6: The final step! Heat the butter on low heat, add the garlic, squash, salt and pepper. Add feta and chopped parsley just prior to serving. Serve warm and well tossed. (Ingredient measurements available on the included recipe card.) Enjoy!

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Buttery Spaghetti Squash with Garlic and Feta

onedelightfullife.com
This heavenly squash dish will restore your faith in all that is divine. Melted with butter and garlic it takes on huge flavor thanks to added parsley and feta.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Course Side Dish, vegetable
Cuisine American
Servings 6 -8 cups

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large squash
  • 3 T butter
  • 3 chopped garlic cloves
  • 3 T feta
  • 2 T chopped fresh parsley
  • kosher salt
  • pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  • Pierce the squash with a sharp knife several times.
  • Transfer it to a foil lined baking pan.
  • Bake for 1 hour 30 minutes.
  • Remove squash for the oven and cut it in half length-wise.
  • Allow it to almost cool completely.
  • Use a spoon to remove the seeds.
  • Scrap a fork through the squash to create the "spaghetti."
  • Melt the butter and garlic in a large pan.
  • Add in the squash and toss to coat evenly.
  • Add a heavy pinch of kosher salt and fresh ground pepper.
  • Just about the time you're ready to serve it, add the feta and fresh parsley.

Notes

The larger the squash, the more it will serve. Having trouble picking out a squash at the grocery store or farmers' market? Just remember that its rind is the color of butter and it's large in size.

Savory Grilled Chicken Fajitas with Peppers and Squash

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How do you get an idea for a meal?

If you’re like me, you either get inspired by the ingredients in your refrigerator or by some gorgeous food photo on Pinterest. This recipe was inspired by an abundance of bell peppers and squash recently purchased from a local farmer.

This week I travelled to pick up my pup from her new kennel and on the way home stopped at a farmer’s produce stand. Supporting local business, especially farmers, is becoming increasingly part of my MO. The produce is off-the-charts delicious and much larger in size than anything you’ll find at the grocery store. As if that wasn’t awesome enough, their produce is chemical free. I’ll be back to grab a bucket and pick fruit in no time.

Shout out to Sargeant’s Berry Farm (not an affiliate) for the bell peppers used in my Savory Grilled Chicken Fajitas with Peppers and Squash, a recipe with a whole lotta tasty flavor thanks to a fool-proof marinade. Come home from work tonight and get your fiesta on!

I used our Traeger grill to get a slightly smokey flavor, but that comes at a cost because it doesn’t guarantee photo-worthy, deep grill marks. But, oh that charred flavor! To cut down on over using oil, simply spray your halved veggies with canola cooking spray.

Lightly coat your halved veggies with cooking space and place them flat side down to start.
Lightly coat your halved veggies with cooking space and place them flat side down to start.

The onions and peppers take longer to soften and get charred than the squash so be watchful and don’t neglect the grill.

quick-and-savory-grilled-chicken-fajitas3

Grill the boneless chicken breasts until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees. Simply insert a instant-read meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat to check.

I love sharp cheddar cheese with my fajitas (in copious amounts as seen here). You could also use taco cheese or monterrey jack cheese.
I love sharp cheddar cheese with my fajitas (in copious amounts as seen here). You could also use taco cheese or monterrey jack cheese.

 

Savory Grilled Chicken Fajitas with Peppers and Squash

onedelightfullife.com
Don't heat up the kitchen this summer or make a mess. Grill these super savory chicken fajitas and you'll be sayin' "Ole!" after the first bite.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 52 minutes
Course fajitas
Cuisine Mexican

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pkg small flour tortillas taco size
  • canola cooking spray
  • salt and pepper
  • Filling:
  • 3 large boneless chicken skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 yellow peeled and halved onions
  • 1 yellow halved squash
  • 1 halved and cored green bell pepper
  • 1 halved and cored orange sweet bell pepper
  • 2 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • Optional: 1/4 c. Field Day Organic Double Fire Roasted Salsa, Daisy Light Sour Cream, lime wedge
  • Marinade:
  • 1 1/2 tsp all-purpose seasoned salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 c. olive oil
  • Juice of 1/2 lime

Instructions
 

  • Heat grill to medium heat.
  • Mix all dry marinade spices in a small bowl. Dump spices into a large plastic zip top bag. Add olive oil, lime juice, and chicken to the bag. Close bag and use your hands on the bag to coat the chicken evenly of the marinade. Refrigerate 30 mins.
  • In the meantime, prep all of your vegetables and spray them with canola cooking spray. Sprinkle them with salt and pepper.
  • Remove chicken from refrigerator and allow bag to come to almost room temperature. Remove chicken and place on the grill. Spray halved vegetables with canola cooking spray. Place vegetables face down on hot grill. (The squash will take the least amount of time. Leave the onions and peppers on longer until softened and slightly charred on both sides.)
  • Turn chicken breasts after about 6 minutes. Remove chicken from grill when the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees. Remove vegetables and chicken and allow the meat to rest 5 minutes. Cut all vegetables and chicken into strips.
  • Fill each tortilla with chicken, vegetables, roasted tomato salsa, cheese, and serve with sour cream.

Notes

If you don't want your marinade to be as spicy, eliminate the red pepper flakes.

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