Whole Wheat Spaghetti, Spaghetti Squash, Japanese Eggplant, Capers and Toasted Almonds

• 4 oz dried whole wheat spaghetti pasta
• 1 Kosher salt, to taste
• 1 Black pepper, to taste
• 1 small spaghetti squash
• 1 small Japanese eggplant, halved and sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp capers, drained
• 1 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted in 350 degrees F oven for 8 minutes
• 1 tsp tomato paste
• 1 small lemon, cut in half and juiced
• 2 tsp olive oil, divided
• 1 tsp sherry vinegar
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
• 1 tbsp Italian parsley, washed and roughly chopped

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and fill a medium to large sauce pot three quarters full with water and 1 tablespoon of salt.
2. Turn the sauce pot on over high-heat.
3. Using a large chefs knife, cut the squash in half from the stem end to the blossom end.
4. Scoop out the seeds with a large metal serving spoon.
5. Season with salt and black pepper, brush cut side with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and place cut side down on a heavy baking pan or roasting pan.
6. Cook for 30-35 minutes until the top is soft and gives to the touch.
7. When the water reaches a boil, add the pasta all at once and stir continuously so it does not stick to each other or the pan.
8. Cook the pasta until tender or al-dente but not mushy.
9. Before draining the pasta remove 2 Tablespoons of the hot pasta cooking liquid and reserve for later.
10. Drain the pasta in a large colander and reserve.
11. While the squash is roasting, heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat.
12. Add remaining olive oil to the pan, add the eggplant.
13. Cook while stirring for 4-5 minutes and then add onion and half of the butter, cook for 2-3 more minutes.
14. Add vinegar and tomato paste and cook for 1 more minute, remove from heat.
15. Once the squash is cooked, remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes.
16. Scrape out the inner strands of squash and add to the pan with eggplant.
17. Heat the pan of vegetables over medium heat while stirring to incorporate all the ingredients.
18. Once the vegetables are hot add the cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, remaining butter, capers and the lemon juice.
19. Cook over medium heat while stirring to incorporate all the ingredients.
20. Once the butter has melted and the pasta has started to absorb some of the sauce remove from heat and season to taste with salt and pepper.
21. Serve in two large bowls with toasted almonds and parsley on top.
22. Enjoy!

whole wheat spaghetti pasta, kosher salt, black pepper, squash, japanese eggplant, onion, capers, almonds, tomato, lemon, olive oil, sherry vinegar, unsalted butter, italian parsley

Taken from cookpad.com/us/recipes/352331-whole-wheat-spaghetti-spaghetti-squash-japanese-eggplant-capers-and-toasted-almonds (may not work)