Dinner: Vietnamese-Style Spaghetti Squash “Noodle” Bowls With Skirt Steak

Recipe by Anna Stockwell Spaghetti squash plays the part of traditional rice noodles in this take on a Vietnamese noodle bowl. Roast the squash and marinate the steak the day before, and it’s easy to pull off in just half an hour for dinner.

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Nuts

Health and fertility benefits of Vietnamese-Style Spaghetti Squash “Noodle” Bowls With Skirt Steak

Nuts are a natural source of Inositol, a derivative of Vitamin B (which is often prescribed in the form of supplements for women with PCOS). Inositol can effectively control the symptoms of PCOS by reducing insulin resistance and improving insulin sensitivity.

Ingredients

1 medium spaghetti squash (2 –2 1/2 pounds), halved lengthwise, seeded
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 cup fish sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, finely grated
1/2 cup fresh lime juice, divided
1 pound skirt steak, cut crosswise into 4-inch sections
1 medium jalapeño, stemmed, seeded, finely chopped
3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon neutral vegetable oil
1/2 romaine heart, coarsely chopped (about 4 cups)
1 medium carrot, peeled, sliced into 3" matchsticks
1 mini or Persian cucumber, cut in half lengthwise, thinly sliced
1/2 cup mung bean sprouts (about 2 ounces)
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup cilantro leaves
1/4 cup roasted salted peanuts, coarsely chopped

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 °F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Sprinkle each half of squash with 1/4 tsp. salt, then place cut side down on prepared baking sheet. Bake until interior of squash is fork-tender, 40 –50 minutes. Let cool.
Meanwhile, whisk fish sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, 2 Tbsp. lime juice, and 1/2 tsp. salt in a large bowl. Transfer 3 Tbsp. fish sauce mixture to a shallow wide bowl. Add steak and turn to coat. Let sit at room temperature at least 30 minutes.
Add jalapeño, sesame oil, and remaining 6 Tbsp. lime juice to remaining fish sauce mixture in large bowl and stir to combine.
Using a fork, scrape squash crosswise to pull strands from shells into a large bowl; discard shells. Toss squash with 4 Tbsp. jalapeño sauce and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt.
Heat vegetable oil in a large heavy skillet over high; pat steak dry. Working in batches if needed, sear steak until browned, about 3 minutes per side for medium-rare. Let rest 5 minutes, then thinly slice lengthwise against the grain.
Divide squash among bowls. Toss lettuce, carrot, cucumber, and bean sprouts in remaining jalapeño sauce, then arrange over squash. Add steak to bowls, then top with scallions, cilantro, and peanuts.

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