Spaghetti squash is a member of the winter squash family. The squash plants themselves are easy to grow, and both male and female flowers are contained in one plant; if the female flower is successfully pollinated, then a small growth underneath the flower eventually becomes a large squash.
Unlike its butternut and acorn relatives, this versatile squash is a unique alternative in dishes requiring spaghetti or other noodles. And for those who are watching their weight or trying to eat a more healthy diet, spaghetti squash is a wonderful noodle substitute.
Spaghetti Squash Versus Pasta
While pasta is known for being a carbohydrate-heavy food, spaghetti squash has almost no carbs, and is, therefore, a wonderful pasta substitute for those following a low-carb diet but who still crave rich pasta dishes. Spaghetti squash is also low in calories (42 per 1 cup serving), has almost no fat, and is high in anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals.
How to Cook a Spaghetti Squash
Cooking spaghetti squash takes a little more time than cooking traditional spaghetti noodles; however, the effort involved in cooking this pasta alternative is minimal.
What Cooks Will Need:
- 1 spaghetti squash (a ripe spaghetti squash typically has a light yellow color to the rind and is heavy for its size)
- 1 11x7 casserole dish
- A fork or a corkscrew
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees
- Pierce the squash rind all over with the fork or corkscrew
- Place squash in casserole dish and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes per pound
- Place squash in heated oven and cook for one hour
- Remove squash from oven and cut off stem
- Cut squash in half lengthwise. The rind will be brittle, but the fruit of the squash itself will be soft and will make the squash easy to cut
- Scoop out seeds
- Once all the seeds have been removed, take a fork and scrape out the fruit. The squash will look like spaghetti strands (although slightly more yellow than traditional spaghetti pasta)
- Add sauce and/or seasonings and enjoy, or chill in order to make a cold “pasta” salad
A two pound spaghetti squash should yield 4-5 cups of spaghetti.
Taste and Consistency
Diners will find that spaghetti squash has a slightly more brittle consistency than its pasta counterpart and, on its own, has little distinctive taste. Because it lacks its own flavor, however, spaghetti sauce will readily assume the flavor of any seasonings or sauces cooks choose to add. Therefore, spaghetti squash is the perfect partner for red or white sauces, and can be paired with Thai or Chinese sauces as a substitute for lo mein.
Those seeking to eat a healthy, low-carb diet needn’t feel that they have to give up pasta. Thanks to spaghetti squash’s magical mimicking abilities, diners can eat well, lose weight, and still enjoy some of their favorite comfort foods.
Additional Information:
Healthy and Easy Spaghetti Squash
Nutritional Information-Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti Squash: A Vegetable with a Surprise Inside
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