Three Sisters Harvest Squash

This traditional recipe featuring the "three sisters corn, squash, and beans takes on a modern twist when served in Mediterranean style. It adds the wonderful healing herbs of parsley which is high in vitamin C, chlorophyll, calcium, and iron and basil, a tasty digestive aid. This dish can be served as a main course or as a simple but attractive side dish. The spaghetti squash adds a unique way of serving up more vegetables and is versatile, tasting delicious with many traditional pasta toppings.

1 spaghetti squash
1 14-oz (398-mL) can (or 2 cups [500 mL] cooked) navy beans or other small white beans 1 cup (250 mL) corn kernels
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 Tbsp (30 mL) extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup (60 mL) chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup (60 mL) chopped fresh basil
Sea salt to taste
1/2 cup (125 mL) hard Romano, Parmesan, or Greek Mizithra cheese, finely grated

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Cut squash in half lengthwise (from top to bottom). Scoop out seeds with a metal spoon.

Place squash flat side down on a baking tray that can hold about 1/4 in (6 mm) of water. Bake for 20 to 40 minutes until flesh is soft and becomes stringy when scraped with a fork.

When squash is cooked, gently heat beans and corn in a small saucepan. Scrape flesh of squash with a fork to make spaghetti strands. Place in a bowl and toss with beans, corn, bell pepper, olive oil, parsley, and basil. Season with salt and garnish with grated cheese. Serves 4.

Source: alive #265, November 2004