I posted this on the cooking thread earlier this evening, but once I got thinking about the calorie content of this splendid, satisfying, filling hot dish, I decided to move it here.
My supper tonite, half an organic spaghetti squash. The other half goes in the fridge for tomorrow:
It looks like pizza because I mixed up the squash shreds so thoroughly with garlic & herb cream cheese, extra crushed garlic, salt and red pepper flakes. Baby tomatoes on top.
I find it easier to stab the whole squash in a couple of places and bake it uncut for 25-30 minutes, so I can cut it open without severing my arm or sending the whole squash across the room. Every time I make it I say "never again". You need a hatchet to open it up if you don't bake it first, and if you do bake it first, it's hot as molten lava to handle, but you want it hot, to melt the garlic-herb spread you're scratching into it. You have to get out all the seeds. Not worth it. Or is it... I made a piece of garlic toast to go with it. Can justify garlic bread if your spaghetti isn't made of wheat.
So the calories:
Half a spaghetti squash, less than 100 calories from what I can read in multiple online sources.
The Laughing Cow garlic herb spread, 35 calories per wedge (and they make an almond milk based vegan version of the garlic herb spread, same 35 cal. per wedge. I used 3 wedges per squash half = 105 cal. the serving.
The little grape tomatoes on top, don't count those calories
Crushed garlic, red pepper flakes, fresh thyme, negligible calories.
Total calories: 205
Wow. I ate 2.5 hours ago and I'm still feeling stuffed.
Possible add-ons: pepperoni, 7 slices = 70 calories, and there are vegan pepperoni and sausage products available too.
Marinara mixed in to make the garlic-herb cream cheese into a rose sauce.
Olives: 5 to 7 calories per olive, depending on size. If you love them, add them on top.