Discover here below the simplest way to cook spaghetti squash without the hard work. Spaghetti squash is a low-carb veggie that can replace pasta for a light and healthy dinner!
Lovely, have you ever come across a spaghetti squash? Did you wonder how in the world could you turn that "rugby ball" like squash into a meal?
Well, that was my impression too when I first saw a spaghetti squash! When I asked the farmers how to cook it, they didn't know much either because, at that time (some years back), spaghetti squash was a new veggie in my marketplace.
In this post, you'll discover how to easily cook a spaghetti squash without cutting it. It's much easier and time-saving!
When I first bought my spaghetti squash, I wanted to cook it the way most recipes online suggested; cut it in halves and bake it.
But dear, spaghetti squash isn't like the other squashes with a base to sit on. It rolls around when you want to cut it (I almost chopped my fingers that day) and its skin is tough. You really need to equip yourself with a sharp chef's knife!
What worsened my experience with that spaghetti squash was the pain. During that time, I was still experiencing inflammation in my hands due to Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), I was so frustrated, and I remember throwing the whole squash away!
If you're undergoing any pain, my thoughts to you, and this can be a helpful post (at least I do hope) for you if you yearn to cook healthy foods but you can't due to pain!
After several years, my daughter started asking me why I didn't cook spaghetti squash? Since classic pasta does contain gluten, my kids eat them very rarely. Therefore, spaghetti squash is the perfect veggie to replace pasta.
With time, I came up with my own way of cooking the spaghetti squash, it's simple, no fuss, and no mess!
The easiest way to roast a spaghetti squash
- Clean the spaghetti squash and tap dry it,
- Poke holes all over,
- Put it in a heating oven,
- Bake
- Scrape the squash to get the spaghetti strands
That's all there is.
Learn how to roast whole butternut squash and how to use it in this delicious salad.
Differences between roasting a whole vs a cut spaghetti squash
- It's super easy to cut a whole cooked squash than when it's raw
- The whole squash yields moisture strands while the cut squash will give a bit dry strands since the heat pulls out the water from the food.
- The cut squash will be tastier if caramelized.
- The whole squash will preserve more nutrients that are easily destroyed by direct high heat like vitamin B and C.
- Cooking unpeeled (whole) squash might possess more polyphenol and carotenoids than the cut squash.
How does spaghetti squash taste
Whole roasted spaghetti squash will not have the same taste as a caramelized roasted squash. However, it does have a mild flavor, not quite pronounced as in most winter squashes.
Spice it up to improve the taste.
How serve spaghetti squash?
- Once cooked, spaghetti squash can replace classic pasta. You can also add it into your pasta dishes, this is a great way for eating veggies, especially for the picky eaters.
- Spaghetti strands can be incorporated into other dishes or served cold in a salad.
- Be free and creative! there's no better way to eat this squash than the one you could enjoy the most.
How to store cooked and raw spaghetti squash
- When raw, store the spaghetti squash in a cool and dry place. Don't keep it for long, especially if you're purchasing it from groceries where you've no information about when it was harvested. I've noticed that keeping them for extra weeks, unlike other winter squashes, spaghetti squash seeds will start to germinate!
- Once baked, if not being used the same day, store it in your fridge for up to 10 days.
- If cut, wrap the remaining with a kitchen cloth or get the strands and store them in a container with a lid.
How to reheat a baked spaghetti squash
- You can reheat an already baked spaghetti squash in your oven, in this case, it's better to cut it into two, scrape the seeds, and heat the squash at 150°C or less.
- Another way would be to scrape the strands, heat them in a saucepan with some oil or add them to a cooking dish.
- If you're using a microwave, add some little amount of water in the container that's heating the squash, otherwise, the microwave will dry them out!
I hope this post will help you learn a new and easy way to add spaghetti squash into your diet.
Tell me, is this the first time you're reading about spaghetti squash, or are you a fan of this delicious veggie? Leave comments here below.
Thank you for being here, till next, eat to heal.
My love to you, Githu
Discover more recipes with squashes
- Vegan roasted butternut squash soup with sweet potato
- Millet with roasted pumpkins and lamb's lettuce
- Perfect brown rice with pumpkin
Discover how to easily cook spaghetti squash without cutting it
Equipment
- Chopping board
- sharp kitchen knife
- parchment paper
Ingredients
- 2 or 3 small size spaghetti squash
Instructions
- Heat your oven at 200°C/392°F
- Clean then tap dry spaghetti squashes
- Poke holes on their skins
- Place them on a parchment paper
- Place them in the oven to roast/bake till you see the skin is wrinkled. This should take 40-45 minutes
- Remove from the oven and let them squashes to cool
- Cut a roasted spaghetti squash into halves, using a spoon, scoop out the seeds
- Using a fork, scrape lengthwise the "meat" to get spaghetti strands
- Incorporate the spaghetti strands in your recipes.
Notes
- Do not overcook the spaghetti squash, otherwise, the strands will be mushy!
Maya
This is great! Thanks for simplifying spaghetti squash.
Bernice
Such an easy way to cook spaghetti squash. Thanks for this post!
Ashley
I enjoy how it tastes with the caramelization much more. Great healthy and easy recipe!
Amy Liu Dong
I have never tried to make spaghetti squash. It looks so delicious and easy. I'll be making this for everyone. Thank you!