Friday, December 28, 2012

Do You Hear the People Sing? (Roasted Acorn Squash Pasta)


In T-minus two hours I will get to do something I have been waiting for since August: see Les Miserables!  (Actually by the time this post goes up I will have seen it, but bear with me, at this moment the excitement is flowing.)

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Here is something about me you might not have known about me, but I am a major musical girl.  Love love LOVE them.  I first discovered this as a teenager, roaming the streets of London with my senior class.  Piccadilly Circus offered us any musical we could want, and I made the call: Les Mis.  I had never heard of it before, yet I was scared to watch Phantom (true then, not true anymore...), so I just went with it.  My friends did not argue.  From the moment I stepped into that theater and watched this beautiful and ugly story unfold before my eyes, I was hooked.  Anna and the King, Phantom of the Opera, Grease, Miss Saigon (which I have seen both in English and in Portuguese!)... I cannot get enough.  

But none has touched me like Les Miserables.  

Maybe it is because it was my 'first love', maybe it is because both London and San Francisco did it right.  I don't know, really.  But I do know this: I have been waiting for this moment (first chance to see it on the big screen since it came out two days ago) ever since I saw the preview in Aug.  I have been counting the days. And I no longer have to say, "One day more..."


But first we dine on our roasted acorn squash pasta with kale and toasted almonds.  Vegan and full of rich vegetables, not to mention quite tasty...  (Asked in my best Chandler voice) Could tonight be any better?!

How about you -- Yay or nay for musicals? Favorites?

Roasted Acorn Squash with Kale and Almonds
Recipe from Everyday Food, Dec. 2012

Prep: 10 Min    Total Time: 40 min    Servings: 4




ingredients
  • 1 acorn squash (about 1 pound), cut into 1-inch wedges, then crosswise into 1/2-inch slices
  • 5 cloves garlic, unpeeled
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • Salt and pepper
  • 3/4 pound medium pasta shells
  • 1 bunch curly kale, tough stems and ribs removed, leaves thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped
directions
  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss together squash, garlic, and 1 tablespoon oil and arrange in a single layer; season with salt and pepper. Bake until squash is soft and lightly golden, 20 to 25 minutes, tossing halfway through. Remove garlic from skins and toss with squash.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta 1 minute less than package instructions. Add kale and cook 1 minute. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain. Return pasta and kale to pot, add squash mixture and remaining 2 tablespoons oil, and season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine, adding enough pasta water to create a light sauce that coats pasta. Serve topped with almonds.

COST: $3.53   COST PER SERVING (4): $0.89

14 comments:

  1. yum! looks easy to make and delicious! I too cannot wait to see Les Mis. Had plans to go Wednesday but the hubby is sick :( so hopefully this weekend.

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    Replies
    1. Oh, you are in for a treat. It was AMAZING! I hope he is feeling better so you can enjoy it SOON!

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  2. This looks delicious! Squash and kale go together so well, don't you think?

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    Replies
    1. Yes, they are like the perfect marriage of winter foods!

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  3. This looks so delicious! I need to get back into kale...

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    Replies
    1. Oh you do! It is so healthy for you, and I think delicious. Go for it!

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  4. This pasta looks amazing - I love everything in it!

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  5. Replies
    1. I know. That's what I was thinking when I saw the recipe!

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  6. Squash, shells - delightful! Kale? if it's for fibre' Can't I use another cruciferous Veggie? Like brussles sprouts,or broccoli. How about Swiss or Ruby Chard?

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    Replies
    1. I guess you can use any of those above. We personally LOVE kale, so it was an easy choice for you, but if it is not your thing I think chard would go well with it. (I love kale, hate chard. But I am sure any leafy green would work great!)

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  7. I want to see that movie too!! I have never seen the musical, but I have heard good things about it.

    And goodness, this pasta dish look great!

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    Replies
    1. Lynna, it was FABULOUS. Go see it, and bring some tissue. And a friend to discuss with afterwards.

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