Spaghetti Squash Shrimp Scampi
(serves 4)
Ingredients:
1 Medium Spaghetti Squash (~ 2 1/2 #)
2 tsp. Olive Oil
Kosher Salt
Freshly Ground Pepper
1 # Large Shrimp, peeled, devianed & tails removed
1 stick (8 T spoons) UNsalted Butter
1 T. grated Garlic (approx 4 cloves)
1 T. Dried Italian Seasoning
1 tsp. Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
1/3 C. Dry White Wine
1/3 C. Half & Half or Heavy Whipping Cream
2 T. Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
1/2 C. Shredded Parmesan or Pecorino Romano
Croutons to cover Casserole
More Freshly Grated Parma or Pecorino Romano for Garnish (optional)
Parsley for Garnish (optional)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees
Cut squash in half lengthwise. Remove seeds w/ a spoon. Pierce outside/skin side of squash w/ fork or small knife in several places. Brush the flesh of each half with olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Place halves flesh-side down on a baking sheet and bake until edges just turn brown and flesh can easily be flaked with fork. Timing is very dependent on size of squash.
~Should be 25 to 45 minutes~
Cool slightly. Separate the strands of Squash by scraping the flesh with a fork. Transfer the Scraped Stands to a large bowl. Cover lightly w/ foil to keep warm.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Pat the Shrimp dry with a paper towel and sprinkle w/ salt, pepper & garlic powder. Melt 4 T. of the butter in the skillet. Add Shrimp & Crushed Fresh Garlic and cook until pink – about 2 minutes each side. Transfer the Shrimp to the bowl w/ the Squash Strands.
Return the skillet to medium heat and add 1 T. of the Butter. When melted, add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant… about 30 seconds. Stir in the wine, half ’n half and lemon juice. Increase the heat to high and boil until the liquid thickens slightly while stirring constantly – about 1 minute. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the remaining 3 T of Butter.
Pour the Sauce over the Shrimp and Squash Strands. Toss to evenly spread out ingredients. Cover w/ Croutons. Garnish w/ Parsley and Grated Cheese.
Place back in oven and warm until Croutons are lightly browned and garnished Cheese is melted.
