In the past, appetizers were known as a way to add to a dinner bill with food that can be prepared slightly faster than the rest of the meal (unless it's chips and salsa) for people who couldn't wait for the entree to arrive. But in my mind and in the mind of the author of the Wall Street Journal article I read today, this idea has evolved.
I made this appetizer twice last weekend. I have decided that spaghetti squash is best in October, because by November I was struggling to find good fall squash to purchase. The dish was a big hit at both events and the goods were all gone. There's no complement like the complement of disappearing food (as long as it isn't fed to the dog).