Pitchfork Pulled Pork

Name: Pitchfork Pulled Pork
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h 15 min
Yield: 12 servings.
Ingredients: 1 boneless pork shoulder butt roast (3 to 4 pounds); 4-1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided; 2-1/2 teaspoons salt, divided; 1 cup water, divided; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 medium onion, chopped; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes in puree; 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste; 2 teaspoons sugar; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 2 bay leaves; 1 medium spaghetti squash (about 4 pounds); 12 kaiser rolls, split

Pile the spaghetti squash on top of these Italian-style pulled pork sandwiches so it looks like a haystack. It’s so fun your kids won’t know they’re eating vegetables.—Matthew Hass, Franklin, Wisconsin

Ingredients

1 boneless pork shoulder butt roast (3 to 4 pounds)
4-1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
2-1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
1 cup water, divided
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes in puree
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 bay leaves
1 medium spaghetti squash (about 4 pounds)
12 kaiser rolls, split

Directions

Sprinkle roast with 1-1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning and 1-1/2 teaspoons salt. Place in a 4- or 5-qt. slow cooker; add 1/2 cup water. Cook, covered, on low 6-8 hours or until meat is tender.
Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir 4-5 minutes or until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, pepper, bay leaves and remaining Italian seasoning, salt and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer, uncovered, 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to blend. Discard bay leaves.
Cut squash lengthwise in half; discard seeds. Place squash on a microwave-safe plate, cut side down. Microwave, uncovered, on high 15-20 minutes or until tender. When squash is cool enough to handle, use a fork to separate strands.
Remove roast; discard cooking juices. When cool enough to handle, shred meat with two forks. Return meat to slow cooker. Stir in sauce; heat through.
Using tongs, place meat mixture on bun bottoms; top with squash. Replace tops.

Originally published as Italian Pulled Pork With Worms in Halloween Bookazine 2016