MUSHROOM BOLOGNESE WITH SPAGHETTI SQUASH

prep + cook time 6½ hours serves 4

¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil

2 large onions (400g), chopped

6 cloves garlic, chopped finely

1 tsp dried oregano

375g flat mushrooms, chopped

¼ cup (70g) tomato paste

½ cup (125ml) red wine

2 large stalks celery (300g), chopped

2 medium carrots (360g), chopped

3 small zucchini (180g), chopped

2 x 400g cans diced tomatoes

½ cup (125ml) vegetable stock

1kg spaghetti squash, halved, seeds removed

2 tsp red wine vinegar finely grated vegetarian parmesanstyle cheese (see tip), to serve

¼ cup flat-leaf parsley tip Check the label to ensure the brand of cheese you buy is suitable for vegetarians.

1 Heat olive oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat; cook onion for 5 minutes or until golden. Add garlic, oregano and mushrooms; cook for a further 5 minutes or until softened. Stir in paste and red wine; cook for 2 minutes or until reduced and thickened.

2 Transfer mixture to a 4.5-litre (18-cup) slow cooker; add the celery, carrot, zucchini, canned tomatoes and stock. Wrap spaghetti squash halves in foil. Place over mushroom mixture, cut-side up. Cook, covered, on low for 6 hours (or high for 4½ hours).

3 Carefully remove foil parcels and unwrap the squash. Using a fork, loosen strands by running fork across.

4 Stir vinegar into bolognese; season to taste. Spoon spaghetti squash among bowls or keep in squash halves. Spoon bolognese over and serve sprinkled with parmesan and parsley.

Swap

Serve the bolognese with pasta instead of the spaghetti squash.