SPAGHETTI SQUASH W/BACON, SPINACH, AND GOAT CHEESE

Spaghetti Squash w/Bacon, Spinach, and Goat Cheese image

The method for the cooking the squash is just a suggestion. Use your favorite way to cook it and then continue with rest of recipe.

Provided by Mikekey * @Mikekey

Number Of Ingredients 8

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Ingredients

1 medium spaghetti squash
1 tablespoon(s) olive oil
- salt and pepper, to taste
6 slice(s) bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon(s) red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon(s) pure maple syrup
1 bag(s) (5 oz) baby spinach
2 ounce(s) goat cheese (chevre), crumbled

Steps:

Preheat oven to 400F and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cut about half an inch of the top and bottom of the squash and discard those pieces. Cut the squash crosswise into rings about 1-inch thick, and run your knife around the inside of the rings to cut the seeds out. Discard seeds. Drizzle the olive oil over the baking sheet, then spread the squash rings over it, moving them around a little so that the undersides are evenly coated with a little bit of oil. Season with salt and pepper, then turn the rings over and season again.
Roast in the preheated oven until the squash is tender, about 30 minutes. When the squash is done, set it aside on the counter while you cook the bacon and spinach. It'll be easier to handle if you let it cool for 10 minutes before taking it apart.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat, then add the bacon slices. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, just until the very edges of the bacon start to brown slightly, about 2 minutes. Turn the heat down to low and continue to cook until the bacon is crispy and the fat has rendered out, about 5 more minutes.
When the bacon is done, turn the heat up to medium and add the red wine vinegar while stirring and scraping the bottom of the skillet. loosening all of the caramelized bits of bacon. After about 20 seconds, turn the heat back down to low and add the maple syrup. Stir everything together just to combine, then add the spinach, one handful at a time, stirring after every addition so that the spinach wilts and there's room in your skillet for more. When all of the spinach is wilted, turn the burner off under the skillet and let everything sit in there while you finish the squash.
Peel the skin away from the squash, then use a fork or your hands to pull the strands apart, adding them to the skillet as you go. When all of the squash is in the skillet, add the goat cheese and toss everything together just to combine.
Divide between two plates and serve immediately.