Baked Spaghetti Squash with Garlicky Chickpeas

Description

In this simple recipe, baked spaghetti squash, pulled with a fork to create noodles, replaces pasta in the classic dish cacio e pepe. Dressed with olive oil, cheese, salt, and pepper, the sweet spaghetti squash takes so well to salty and sharp Pecorino.

Ingreadient :

    for the squash:

    • 1 medium spaghetti squash, (2 3/4 to 3 pounds)
    • kosher salt, for seasoning
    • fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
    • 1 to 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 1/2 cup finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese

    for the chickpeas:

    • 3 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 to 2 onions thinly sliced to yield 1-2 cups
    • 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced or minced
    • pinch crushed red pepper flakes
    • 2 cups cooked chickpeas in their cooking liquid
    • flaky sea salt for finishing
Direction :
    1. Heat oven to 350ºF. Line a sheet pan with foil or parchment paper.
    2. Halve the spaghetti squash crosswise and use a spoon to scrape out the seeds and stringy yellow strands, then discard. (See notes in post and above for how to cut open a spaghetti squash.)
    3. Season the flesh with a pinch of salt & pepper then place the squash cut side down on the prepared pan.
    4. Bake until the flesh can be easily pierced with a fork, 55 to 60 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes. UPDATE: I now roast my squash at 350ºF for 45 minutes. The squash will not be knife tender. This shorter cook period yields firmer strands, which I like. If you have made this recipe in the past and have liked it, keep doing what you like, but otherwise, try cooking it for 45 minutes. Note: With this shorter cooking period, the squash will not be knife or fork tender when you remove it from the oven. 
    5. Using a fork, gently pull the squash flesh from the sides and scrape into a bowl; it will separate into spaghetti-like strands.
    6. Add olive oil, Pecorino Romano, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Toss well and serve immediately, or to make the chickpeas, continue on.
    7. To make the chickpeas: Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onions and a pinch of salt, and cook, stirring every so often, till they begin to caramelize, 7 to 1o minutes. Add the garlic and pepper flakes to taste, and cook for a minute more. Add the chickpeas and 2 cups of cooking liquid and bring to a simmer. Simmer gently for 10 minutes or until chickpeas begin breaking down. Taste. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add liquid as needed to keep the chickpeas somewhat brothy.
    8. To serve. Spoon chickpeas into a bowl. Top with a spoonful of spaghetti squash. Use a microplane to shave more Pecorino over top. Serve, passing more salt and pepper on the side.