Don’t Fear the Squash
Posted on November 20, 2007 - Filed Under Food, Gluten Free, Instructional/How To, Low Fat, Soy Free, Vegan, Vegetarian, Video
For those of you who are unfamiliar with spaghetti squash or are afraid to buy it because you don’t know what to do with it, let me enlighten you. Spaghetti squash is a mild tasting squash - it really doesn’t have much of a squash flavor to it. It goes well with tomato sauce, pesto, or any other type of sauce you would use on pasta. Of course it is fine just as is, but I like to mix it in with whole wheat pasta or spinach pasta and serve it with tomato sauce. Yum.
This squash is so easy to prepare and incorporate into your meals. Easy, easy, easy. If I can do it, you can do it. All you need to do is wash the outside of it so the skin is clean, then prick it all over with a fork. Then bake the whole thing in a baking dish at 350 degrees Farenheit for 55 minutes. Take it out of the oven and let it cool a bit - about 20-30 minutes. It may be necessary to handle it with potholders because it does retain heat for a while. But at this point it should be soft enough to cut. So, when it is cool enough, slice it in half from stem to um, opposite side of stem (I don’t know if there is a name for that little butt-end of the squash so we can just call it that for now).
After that, you scrape out the seeds and slimy gunk (yes, that is the technical term for it) like you would for a pumpkin. I use a grapefruit spoon for that because the serrated edges work nicely. After removing the gunk and slime, I switch to a fork and just run it down the insides of the squash over a bowl to catch the good stuff. Lovely “noodles” of squash just scrape right off into the waiting bowl. How easy is that? Don’t believe me? Here’s a video to prove it (note I am wearing a potholder because it is still hot to handle, kind of like my sexy self - LOL).
So, you see how easy it is? Now get yourself some the next time you see it at the store and try it for yourself! It’s a great way to incorporate another vegetable into your diet and make a meal you are already used to even better for you! Use it anywhere you’d use regular spaghetti!
Popularity: 18% [?]
Comments
16 Responses to “Don’t Fear the Squash”
Leave a Reply
I have never seen or heard of spaghetti squash — maybe we don’t have it here? But I love pumpkin, squash, buttercup and butternut, so I am sure I would love this too!
It does look very easy to scrap the “noodles” off
Hannah - I don’t always see them in the stores, only seasonally so I don’t know if you get them or not. They look like this pic if you want to look for them.
http://media.allrefer.com/s1/l/s0600150-spaghetti-squash.jpg.
I dont know the different types of squashes, and their names, so I’ll just say that I normally eat the yellow ones. Raw or cooked, I love em either way and in a spaghetti sauce is waaaay yummy! I dont know if I’ve ever seen a spaghetti squash at my grocery, but I’ll be sure to look!
Thanks, MsTeeni!
check the photo link I included in my response to Hannah above if you need a pic of one!
And you go, with your big bad sexy self!
LOL. Wasn’t sure if anyone would notice that line. You have Eagle Eyes there, friend!
Wow! Thanks! I needed someone to show me how easy that was. My little boy loves squash.
Glad to help out. I knew some of you would just be afraid to try it cuz you didn’t know what to do with it. I was too until someone showed me. So I’m passing it on.
Hi, I’m here just to let you know that your blog appeared at the top of a meme I just posted today and you might want to check it out. Nice blog!
Thanks, TIV, and welcome to the Vaguetarian Tea Room. Please make yourself at home anytime. I’m always up to something crazy around here and you are always welcome to join in. Just came back from a visit at your blog as well. Nice place you got there. I’ll be back!
[…] Health, Fitness, Wellness, Diabetes, Cancer, Exercise by Vitabeat wrote an interesting post today on Donâ
[…] Get Rich Slowly wrote an interesting post today on Donâ
Hiya. I got Cole’s-Meme memed, so I had to say ‘hi’ to you or risk growing rutabagas out of my ear canals.
“Hi!”
LOL. Hi Amuirin! Welcome to the Vaguetarian Tea Room and thanks for the drop in. You are welcome any time. Nice to meet ya!
That scraping sound sent shivers up my spine.
LOL. Sorry about that. If I cooked it longer, it would have been more silent. But I like a little “bite” to my spaghetti squash.
HOoray!! i love spaghetti squash!!!
also, i have tagged theeeeee…
Ooooh. Going to check it out now!
just found your comment on my blog - glad to meet you and I love squash - particularly butternut squash soup. Yum!
Welcome to the Vaguetarian Tea Room, Flowerpot. Make yourself comfortable and feel free to join in anything going on here whenever you like! I’ve had squash soup before but I don’t know which squash it was made of. I do know I like butternut on it’s own though! That is a good squash.
I tried the squash… I still fear it.
Maybe I didn’t cook it long enough, but it was still chewy and I couldn’t get past the texture. My boys, Mr Picky and Mr Choosy, would not likely touch it.
I may have to try it again and just serve them their usual whole wheat pasta
Great video, did TGH help you out with that one?
Aww, sorry Kami - some people just don’t like squash - that’s understandable. Yes, TGH did help with this video. I’m talented and all but still, I only have TWO hands. LOL.
I don’t fear squash but I fear squish.
LOL. You are crazy, my friend. But I still love ya!
OH I LOVE This post.I have had spaghetti squash and love it! but,I only eat it every once in a while
Me too, Kaylee. It’s healthy for you but not the cheapest. That is why I am getting one of those spiral vegetable slicers so I can make spaghetti strands out of other squashes too.
Thats a good idea LOL never thought of that!
Yum, Yum, Yum. I love spaghetti squash - it is one of my favourite veggies. I love making a tomato/veggie sauce and smothering the squash in it. Now I’m hungry!!!
Sorry, kate. I make myself hungry sometimes too. LOL