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I’ve got way more excitement than usual this morning. Firstly, the birds. I’ve been hearing birds singing in the mornings this week and it’s getting me so excited about Spring. I mean, it’s possible they were singing a little bit through the Winter, but I certainly didn’t notice them. It’s at least getting louder and I think that’s a very good sign of sunnier days!
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With the time changing, that’s also a great reason to notice more Spring in the air. Sorry, I guess I’m just really anxious about it getting here. Winter was super fun with all the snow for the Holidays and getting to do some skiing…….but I’m good now. Yep, bring on the scent of freshly cut grass and all the colorful produce!
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So I feel like our monthly grocery bill may have gotten a little bit higher ever since I started doing a large part of the shopping, guilty. It’s just that I’ll be looking for one obscure item to add to a new recipe and then notice ten other things I didn’t know I needed. A great example of this are these heirloom tomatoes. Here I was shopping for plain old regular tomatoes when these beautiful gems caught my eye. The price is about 4 times as high as normal tomatoes, but come on, aren’t they just stunning? I sorta HAD to have them.
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Haha, the checker at the grocery store didn’t even know what they were. She actually pulled each one out of my bag to scan them individually and set them all over the dirty conveyor-belt, which secretly annoyed me a little bit. I really don’t mean to be rude, but sometimes there are moments. I’m just glad she wasn’t a finger-licker (Please tell me that drives other people crazy too?) Hence the fact that I head to self-checkout about 98% of the time.
……but really none of that is relevant to this recipe. Leave it to me to come up with the most random things to write about in a food post. All proof that I really need someone to put a limit on my coffee.
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Getting to the point here. So spaghetti squash my friends, it’s been my thing recently. I don’t know when it started exactly, but our love affair went on all through the cold-weather months and it’s looking like there’s a pretty good chance of it continuing through to the warmer months also.
I know I never tried it as a kid, because even if someone had offered it I’m positive I would have never gotten past its appearance. I think the first time I ever tasted it was only a few years ago and, while I liked it then, it wasn’t until last year that I discovered how much I love it. You’ll probably think I’m majorly weird but I sometimes just like it plain with some seasoning and maybe some chicken or something. I know it might seem like I only eat picture perfect food all day long, but behind the scenes I also go for quick and instant meals as much as anyone.
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So if you’re a spaghetti squash virgin then I definitely recommend giving it a chance. What I also like to do sometimes, and what I’ve heard many others mention they enjoy, is doing a half and half blend of spaghetti noodles with it for your pasta night. Hey, and you have to admit it looks pretty close to real spaghetti noodles when it’s plated up like this.
But back to the heirloom tomatoes, this sauce you guys, dah-AY-YUM! It’s good. I can definitely admit to being lazy on more than a few occasions in the early days of my cooking and skipping the fresh herbs and ingredients in favor of dried or canned things thinking it didn’t make much difference. I’m here years later to tell you that it absolutely does. It makes all the difference to use fresh ingredients, especially herbs.
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The meatballs in this recipe are nice too, because you can make them with whatever meat you prefer, turkey, chicken, beef, or even sausage if you want. I’ve never tried it, so I can’t say for sure, but I think even meatless meatballs would work well here.
Okay, okay, I’m shutting up so you can maybe actually try this.
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Heirloom Tomato Marinara Meatballs & Spaghetti Squash
Ingredients
1 medium spaghetti squash
1 pound ground meat (i.e. turkey, chicken, or 80% lean ground beef)
1 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped
1 large egg
3/4 cup seasoned panko breadcrumbs
1/4 teaspoon salt
Heirloom Tomato Marinara:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 medium heirloom tomatoes, diced
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
1/4 packed fresh basil leaves, chopped
2 teaspoons fresh oregano
2 teaspoons fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper, optional
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
Instructions
Squash:
Heat oven to 375 (190 C) and line a baking tray with foil. Pierce the squash with a sharp knife in a few places and place in the oven to roast for 40-50 minutes until the outside starts to look a bit wrinkled and brown. Remove from oven and cool for about 10 minutes, then slice in half and use a large spoon to remove the seeds in the center of both halves. Scrape out the spaghetti-like flesh and separate with two forks to serve.
Meatballs:
While the squash is baking, combine all ingredients for the meatballs in a large mixing bowl and mix well. Roll into 2 to 2 1/2 tablespoon sized balls (about the size of a golf ball) and place each one on a plate or tray lined with parchment. Set aside while you prepare the sauce.
Sauce:
In a large skillet or dutch oven with a lid, add the olive oil, garlic, onions, and heirloom tomatoes and cook over medium heat for 5-6 minutes until tomatoes are softened. Add the rest of the ingredients for the sauce and bring to a boil. Add the meatballs and allow them to cook in the hot sauce for about 10 minutes, then reduce heat to simmer. Cover pan with lid and allow the sauce to simmer and thicken for about 20 minutes. Check the meatballs for doneness by cutting one in half.
Serve the sauce and meatballs over your cooked squash (or pasta if you prefer) and top with parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.
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For more great food ideas, please do not forget to look at my other recent food posts
- Chocolate Oats & Honey Cut-Out Cookies (GF+Vegan)
- Miso Mahi-Mahi Brown Rice Pad Thai Noodles
- Chile Lime Veggie Burrito Bowls
- Chocolate Covered Almond Butter Eggs - FOOD PHOTO SHOOT
- Traditional Greek Lamb Gyros + Tzatziki Sauce
- Mint Chocolate Chip Muddy Buddies
- Blueberry White Chocolate Almond Oatmeal Cookies
- Homemade 'Nilla Wafers with Banana Pudding
- Carrot & Lentil Salad with Indian Curry Tahini Dressing w/ Vegan Option
- Simple Chocolate Drizzled Blood Orange Cream Tart
ALL CONTENT IS MINE AND ORIGINAL! All of these food photos were taken with my Nikon D750 and my favorite Lens, the Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G. You can find out more in my INTRO POST.
And, by the way, to all the minnows out there, my intro post did a huge $0.21. The key to success on Steemit is to be consistent and persistent. Click on the link below for some great tutorials on how you can also succeed on the steem blockchain:
Master Toolkit: Steemit Resource Guide Illustrated by @sndbox
Also, a huge shoutout to @rigaronib for designing my logo!
Do you want to learn more about me? Click here to see a recent @wadepaterson interview with me - 20 questions with @gringalicious
In UK winter season is about to end and spring is about to start. Flowers are blooming. I am desperately waiting for summer.
wow, flowers are blooming, sounds beautiful
Your composition and depth of field, it is just amazing. I know you're self taught, but this kind of talent is natural and can't be taught!
Wow, you're too kind @noboxes!
phenomenal photography. I absolutely love your staging
That's the sweetest @mamaloves!
I need this in my life now!!
Yeah, finally winter is over and spring is here.
I am excited about spring and summer as you get to go out more and have fun but here in my region, Asia, we have summers very hot. So let's see how it goes this time.
well I hope this summer is not too hot for you @suf1an
Thank you gringalicious. Yeah I hope this time it won't be that hot.
Well done .. creativity, well done on the pictures
It looks really delicious ..
Thanks for sharing the recipe with us
you are always so kind @slimanepro , thank so much for you great support
So yeah. The birds aren't chirpin' here. Two feet of snow fell the other day. Instead of becoming triggered, I came here to look at spaghetti. I found spaghetti. I'd say you're the best food photographer on the entire planet. You're just going to have to deal with that. See ya!
crap! the best, you're going to lay that on me? And I thought we were friends
Listen. You can flag my comment or take a compliment. The choice is yours. I suggest you deal with it. Let's not get into a nasty flag war now. We've come this far. Let's not ruin it over a bowl of spaghetti(that looks really
bleepingood).I wasn't going to bring up flags, but if that's where you want to take this, then FINE!!!!
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yeap the birds singing is the very first sign of Spring's comming, I like to simply listen to them, it puts me in a good mood :) I also need someone to put a limit on my coffee :P have a great day @gringaliious! Your stories behind your recipes are always so engaging and interesting to read 😊
you are always so kind, thanks so much @xuanito
I like your recipe now i'm feeling hungry :p
thanks so much for commenting @gomovies
really delicious food dear, thanks for share with us.
This comment has received a 0.10 % upvote from @speedvoter thanks to: @msena.
looks delicious
thanks so much for commenting
Now I'm drooling. 😋. Great shots. Well done!
thanks so much for commenting @jupertsphotos and welcome to Steem
Even that sounds tasty and healthy. I managed yo understand the points and the '' taste '' of the post. Thanks
I appreciate it @shihabieee!
great!!! excellent recipe as I would like to delight with asian and spicy dish !!!
I really hope you enjoy it @moniristi!
Wooow Nice food It looks tasty and healthy thanks for sharing I am feeling hungry
Nice food photography
That's so sweet @travellingwomen! Thank you!
I just wish I could get to taste that....
It really looks nice:
Steem on.....
Thanks for sharing
I'm so glad you liked it @murphylee! Thanks!
I really like Heirloom Tomato Marinara Meatballs & Spaghetti Squash - FOOD ,,Great Tomato photography....just looking amazing and also delicious food and tasty yammy .....Thanks for sharing!
You're so sweet @molikhatun!
Thank you I allowyes follow your post and please visit my blog @molikhatun
Hey @gringalicious, great post! I enjoyed your content. Keep up the good work! It's always nice to see good content here on Steemit! Cheers :)
😍what a food.i just love this
it is very nice to see and colourful i will try this thanks for sharing
Thanks @sanjida007!
This is delicious food .Thanks dear for sharing
I'm always glad to share @omor1999
Looks delicious 😋
The pleasure is all mine @patinya103!
The squash looks so much like spaghetti and the food is yummy..
Thank you so much @nmalove !
I love it, thank you for sharing this recipe I will try to make one for my family.
I hope you enjoy it @reatimtim!
I'm hungry right now I wish I could taste that. Upvoted!
Thanks @lainelovinit!
good days. very interesting post, and the food is also very tasty and delicious
That's so sweet @gumid !
I just want to lick my fingers after eating this
You have inspired me ... I am thinking some spaghetti squash and meatballs tomorrow:)
Oh, that sounds like a great plan @prydefoltz!
I simply love the meatballs. We serve them too at my restaurant. However I really like the photographs that you post. They look really amazing.
thanks so much for the great commenting @sizandyola
Hi @gringalicious. It looks delicious to me. Maybe because of the tomatoes. Thanks for the very nice recipe today.
I really hope you can try it @gvincentjosephm !
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I love tomato so much. I guess the food will be delicious
thanks so much for commenting
@gringalicious It's really a good recipe ,, I think you open the tutoring for the chef will add income also will give birth to many great chef, thanks to the recipe from you
thanks so much for commenting
I think peppers and oregano would bring out more flavor than eating spaghetti squash with marinara sauce alone. I wonder if eggplants are a good addition to this dish...or would that not fit on the plate?
if you like eggplant, then go for it.
dlive-broadcast
wow so nice post@
I don't get it
Wow yummy, i like a food
thanks so much for commenting
Waw it look so yummy. Wish i can have some.
you have the recipe, take the opportunity to make it yourself
This looks so good! Do you think the heirloom tomato marinara would work good as a pizza sauce base? I love making pizza and always down to try a new tomato based sauce for it.
I used to grow and propagate basil like crazy but after the last winter I got kind of lazy and stopped. Seeing the pictures of the beautiful basil on top though makes me want to start it up again.
pizza sauce, that's a great idea. And I love fresh basil, the smell and taste can not be beat. Thanks for the great commenting @jmido8
Thid look delicious,am salivating already
thanks so much for commenting
2.76% @pushup from @gringalicious
Nope, you're not weird. I happen to love spaghetti squash baked, but then sauteed with butter and a TON of sliced garlic! A little S&P and it's good to go!
Now here's the frustrating part, my little Wildstyle, with all the allergies, does NOT like spaghetti squash! It's so frustrating because she misses pasta! But,it's a texture thing. Anyway, homemade sauce is something I've been too busy to tackle, but this looks tempting. Thanks!
Just like so many good recipes, one of the arts is low and slow. This sauce, or any twist on it, is so much better when all of the flavors meld. This sauce is good on anything that Wildstyle might like, I promise.
This post has received gratitude of 3.31% from @appreciator courtesy of @gringalicious!
WoW that's looking spicy hot superb dish you have prepared today
Thanks for sharing it !
thanks so much for your daily support @blazing
I like those big red tomatoes. In Russia, this variety is called "bull heart". I am already waiting for the summer to eat vegetables, fruits and greens from my garden! They are much tastier than from the store! Thank you for the recipe, this dish is worth it to tinker with it)
bull heart, that is interesting. Today is Sunny here and the snow is melting. I think Spring is on the way
I'm LAOS I never Food like this,like Delicious Heirloom Tomato Marinara Meatballs & Spaghetti Squash - FOOD PHOTO SHOOT
you can use any kind of tomato that you have @thanvaly
Thank you
this looks amazing. most important is the quality of the products you use !
thanks so much for the great commenting @moodybit
Looks delicious, your photography makes it look even better too, I love how you arrange it all!
so sweet, thanks so much @vtravels
I still can't fathom the fact this exquisite dishes are going down someone throat like right now perhaps lol... The photo shoot is crystal.. And very explanatory.. Need to prepare some of these sometime..kudos @gringalicious
thanks so much for the great commenting @yhuutee