For all they do to keep our world and our plates beautiful, fresh, and diverse, it’s no wonder that pollinators have their very own week. National Pollinator Week is June 21-27, and it's the perfect time to enjoy the bounties of fresh produce, beautiful flowers, and be reminded of just how essential pollinators are to our planet. Check out this recipe from the National Honey Board that incorportes a lot of fresh fruits and veggies. Enjoy!
Spaghetti Squash with Honey Roasted Peppers, Zucchini and Crispy Goat Cheese Medallions
Yield: 4
Ingredients
1 spaghetti squash, washed and cut in half around, NOT lengthwise
2 red peppers, stem, seeds and core removed, cut into thin strips
2 small or 1 large zucchini, ends removed and sliced into ¼" thick rounds
¼ cup olive oil, divided
2 T honey
1 tsp kosher salt
8 oz log of goat cheese
½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
1/3 cup grated parmesan
¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Method
- Preheat oven to 375ºF.
- Add 1/2” water to a shallow pan and place the cut side of the squash down. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour or until the squash is tender and the strands easily separate.
- While the squash is cooking, unwrap the goat cheese and place in the freezer so that it can get firm for slicing, about 15 minutes. Toss the red peppers and zucchini with 3 T of the olive oil, honey and salt. Spread the vegetables on a sheet pan.
- In a small bowl mix the bread crumbs with the remaining 1 T of olive oil. Remove the goat cheese from the freezer and cut into 12 slices, it may crumble a bit, just press it back together. Gently press each slice into the bread crumbs and place on a 2nd sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
- When the squash is done, remove it from the oven and raise the oven temperature to 425*. Add the sheet pans of veggies to the oven and roast them for 5 minutes, now add the goat cheese and cook for another 5-7 minutes. Remove the goat cheese when they start to brown a bit and become crispy, take care that the cheese doesn’t start to run!
- When the veggies and goat cheese are almost done baking, take a fork and begin to remove the spaghetti strands from the squash into a large bowl. Remove the veggies and cheese medallions from the oven. Add the veggies to the spaghetti squash along with the parmesan, basil and garlic, toss to combine.
- Serve immediately with the crispy goat cheese medallions on top along with freshly ground pepper and salt to taste.
