Spaghetti Squash Salad with Scallion Oil

Step 1

Take your lengthwise half of spaghetti squash, and scoop out the seeds. (Set aside the other half for another time or another dish). Set up a steamer with water (either a metal steamer, or a covered wok or pot that will accommodate a large piece of spaghetti squash along with a steaming rack), and bring it to a boil.

Step 2

Once the water is boiling, steam the hollowed out squash for 12-13 minutes. It’s done once you can poke a fork through (reduce the cooking time if your squash is smaller). The fork should just pierce through the flesh of the squash—don’t oversteam it, as you want it to have a slightly crunchy, crisp-tender texture instead of a mushy texture.

Step 3

While the squash is cooking, prepare a cold water bath (no need for ice, just use the coldest setting on your tap). Once the spaghetti squash is done steaming, transfer it to the water bath to stop the cooking process and cool it down.

Step 4

Once it’s cool enough to handle, run a fork around the edges of the spaghetti squash to separate the flesh from the hard skin. Use your fingers to break the chunks apart into strands of spaghetti squash. Then use your hands to squeeze any liquid out of the spaghetti squash—a handful at a time—transferring it to a mixing bowl as you go.

Step 5

Wash the scallions, and pat them dry. Cut them on a diagonal into 1-inch lengths, separating the white parts from the green parts.

Step 6

Heat the neutral oil in a small pot over medium low heat. Add the white parts of the scallions and the Sichuan peppercorns. Cook for 10-15 minutes until the oil is fragrant, the scallions are golden, and the peppercorns are a few shades darker. Take care not to burn the aromatics, or the flavor will be bitter. Remove from the heat, and cool.

Step 7

To the spaghetti squash, add salt, sesame oil, white pepper powder, MSG, the green parts of the scallions. Add the infused oil, pouring it through a fine-meshed strainer or using a slotted spoon to hold back the solids. Mix everything well, cover, and let the flavors meld for 10-15 minutes in the refrigerator before serving. Serve chilled or at room temperature.