Pasta with Butternut Squash and Bacon

-Boil a large covered pot of salted water for the pasta.

-Peel and then coarsely shred 1 butternut squash on a box grater.

-In 12-inch skillet, cook ½ pound of bacon on medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until bacon is crisp. With slotted spoon, transfer bacon to small plate.

-Drain and discard all but 2 tablespoons of fat from the skillet.

-To same skillet, add the following:

1 clove of garlic, finely chopped

¼ tsp red pepper flakes

-Cook 30 seconds, stirring.

-Add butternut squash and ¼ tsp sea salt.

-Cook 10 minutes, stirring and mashing frequently.

-Stir in the following:

2/3 cup half-and-half

6 sage leaves, finely chopped

-Cook 2 minutes.

-Remove from heat.

-Cook 1 pound of pasta according to package directions.

-Reserve ½ cup cooking water.

-Drain pasta well; return to pot.

-Add chopped bacon, squash mixture and..

½ cup grated Parmesan

The reserved cooking water

¼ tsp sea salt

-Toss until well coated and serve.

Spaghetti Squash Bolognese

-Cut 1 spaghetti squash in half and scrape out the seeds.

-Cut each half into 4 pieces, then place in a steamer basket and fill with water to the top of the basket.

-Steam until tender, about 20-25 minutes.

-In a large nonstick skillet, cook 6 slices thick cut bacon over medium until crisp, 8 minutes.

-With a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain.

-Add 2 TBS butter to skillet.

-Then add the following:

3 celery stalks diced

3 cloves of garlic minced

-Cook until vegetables are tender, 15 minutes.

-Transfer to a medium bowl.

-Skin 4 tomatoes (or you can use 1 pint whole Sungold cherry tomatoes instead).

-Add the following to a large skillet or pot:

2 TBS butter

1 pound ground turkey or chicken breast

A pinch of red pepper flakes

-Cook, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon, until almost cooked through, 5 minutes.

-Add the bacon, the vegetables and the tomatoes.

-Bring to a simmer; cook until turkey is cooked through and sauce is thickened, 5 minutes.

-Season with 1 tsp sea salt and some freshly ground black pepper.

-Scrape the squash off the rind, it's best to let it cool a little before you attempt this!

-Serve the sauce over the steamed spaghetti squash and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.