In a Dutch oven or large pot, place the squash, cut sides down. Add enough water to come 2-inches up the sides of the squash and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook until tender and can easily be pierced with a knife, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove, drain, and let cool.

When cool enough to handle, using a fork, scrape the flesh from the skin, separating into long, spaghetti-like strands. Discard the skins.

In a large saute pan or skillet, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the shallots and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the cinnamon and nutmeg, and stir. Add the squash and toss to coat. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and cover to keep warm until ready to serve.

In a shallow dish, season the flour with the Essence. Lightly dust the pork medallions, shaking to remove any excess.

In a clean, large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. In batches, add the seasoned medallions and cook until golden on both sides, about 6 minutes. Remove and cover to keep warm.

Add the shallots to the pan and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the pears and cook, stirring until starting to color and soften, about 2 minutes. Add the ginger, zest, wine, and eau de vie and bring to a boil, stirring to deglaze the pan. When the wine is reduced to by half, add the stock and cook until thickened and reduced by half to 2/3. Swirl in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and add any accumulated juices from the resting pork. Stir and remove from the heat.

To serve, place the spaghetti squash in the middle of 4 plates. Arrange 2 medallions on top of each and spoon the sauce over the top. Garnish with the parsley and pumpkin seeds and serve.

2 1/2 tablespoons paprika

2 tablespoons salt

2 tablespoons garlic powder

1 tablespoon black pepper

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 tablespoon cayenne pepper

1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano

1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.

Yield: about 2/3 cup

Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.