Right here’s tips on how to prepare dinner spaghetti squash if you’d like lengthy pasta-like strands and squash that isn’t watery! Simply minimize the squash widthwise, into rings and roast it.
Let’s speak all about spaghetti squash! You’ve in all probability seen it on the grocery retailer, however have you ever ever made it? If not, get excited as a result of I’m diving into all of the nitty gritty particulars for you!
On this submit I’m sharing my go-to methodology for roasting spaghetti squash, some suggestions and some of my favourite recipes like this spaghetti squash pad thai and spaghetti squash taco bake.
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WATCH HOW TO COOK SPAGHETTI SQUASH:
What’s Spaghetti Squash?
Let’s again wayyy up… what the heck is spaghetti squash? It’s a yellow, oval formed squash that’s in season within the fall and winter months. When cooked, you possibly can shred the insides into lengthy, noodle-like strands. Therefore the title: spaghetti squash. The feel is a tiny bit extra fibrous than pasta, however makes an ideal substitute for normal spaghetti noodles like on this spaghetti squash baked feta pasta.
How Do You Reduce Spaghetti Squash?
Very first thing first, earlier than you even get to the cooking half, you must minimize it. I’ll be sincere and say I don’t love slicing spaghetti squash, nevertheless it’s a lot simpler in case you have a big, sharp knife. We now have a Shun chef’s knife that I like. Another choice is to poke a pair small holes within the squash utilizing a fork after which microwave all the squash for about 5 minutes to melt it a bit and make the method a bit of simpler. Go gradual and be further cautious!
In the case of which option to minimize spaghetti squash there are two predominant methods — widthwise and lengthwise. I used to chop my squash lengthwise on a regular basis till I noticed that the squash’s strands run horizontally in circles across the inside the squash and should you minimize it widthwise into rings you get longer spaghetti strands. And the rings assist cut back moisture as nicely so the squash isn’t watery after it’s finished roasting.
After all, there are particular recipes (like these lasagna bowls and tuna noodle casserole bowls) that require slicing the squash lengthwise, however I desire slicing it widthwise if I’m not making bowls!
After slicing, spaghetti squash is basically easy to prepare dinner! See under for a number of totally different strategies you should utilize.
Brittany’s Suggestions For Chopping Spaghetti Squash!
- Use a pointy knife: That is key! Be sure to’re utilizing a big, sharp knife when slicing spaghetti squash.
- Soften it first: For those who don’t have a pointy knife or your squash is just too arduous to chop, you should utilize a fork to poke a number of small holes within the squash after which microwave it for about 5 minutes to melt the squash a bit and make the method a bit of simpler.
- Use a sturdy slicing board: Make sure that to make use of a slicing board that’s sturdy and doesn’t tend to maneuver round whereas slicing.
The best way to Cook dinner Spaghetti Squash
1. Bake/Roast
- Complete: Preheat your oven to 375°F levels. Use a knife to prick a number of holes within the squash. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for about 1 hour and 20 minutes (flipping half method via). You’ll know the squash is completed when it feels tender when pierced with a knife. Let squash cool earlier than slicing it open, scooping out seeds and separating the strands.
- Reduce widthwise: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Slice ends off the squash, then minimize widthwise into halves or rings. Use a spoon to scrape out the seeds. (I like utilizing a grapefruit spoon for this.) Place squash on rimmed baking sheet. Use fingers to coat every bit with a bit of olive oil, salt and pepper. Bake for half-hour. Enable to chill for about quarter-hour, then peel the pores and skin away and separate the strands into lengthy “spaghetti noodles”.
- Reduce lengthwise: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Slice your spaghetti squash in half, lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Flip your halves over so the minimize facet is on a baking sheet and bake for about 45 minutes. You realize your squash is completed when you possibly can press within the pores and skin pretty simply. Take away from the oven and let cool for about quarter-hour after which use a fork to scrape out/shred the internal half, making “spaghetti noodles”.
2. Microwave
Slice your squash in half, lengthwise or widthwise. Scoop out the seeds and place the minimize facet down in a microwave-safe dish. Fill the dish with about 1 inch of water. Microwave on excessive for 10-12 minutes or till you possibly can press into the pores and skin pretty simply. Take away and let cool for about quarter-hour after which use a fork to scrape out/shred the internal half, making “spaghetti noodles”.
3. Prompt Pot
Slice your squash in half, lengthwise or widthwise. Scoop out the seeds. Place the steamer basket within the backside of the Prompt Pot and add 1 cup of water. Place the squash halves on prime of the basket and safe the lid. Make sure that the vent is turned to “sealed” and set the strain cooker to 7 minutes on excessive strain. Use the fast launch when completed. Take away and let cool for about quarter-hour after which use a fork to scrape out/shred the internal half, making “spaghetti noodles”. See the complete methodology for spaghetti squash within the Prompt Pot right here.
Methods to Use Spaghetti Squash
There are such a lot of other ways to take pleasure in spaghetti squash! You possibly can serve it plain as a facet, use it as a pasta substitute in lots of dishes or make a casserole along with your favourite veggies, sauce and protein of selection. Listed below are some concepts so that you can attempt:
The best way to Retailer
- To retailer: Place any leftover cooked squash in an hermetic container and retailer within the fridge for as much as 5 days.
- To freeze: Let the squash cool fully then switch the noodles to freezer-safe baggage. To forestall the squash from freezer burn, you’ll need to squeeze as a lot air as attainable out of the luggage.
- To reheat: I’ve discovered that the easiest way to reheat leftover spaghetti squash is both within the microwave or over a skillet on the stovetop.
Regularly Requested Questions
Spaghetti squash is low in energy, containing solely 42 energy in a single cup cooked. It additionally comprises a small quantity of carbohydrates, 10 grams, and quantity of fiber, 2.2 grams or 9 p.c of your day by day wants. When substituting spaghetti squash for pasta it can save you about 170 energy and 30 grams of carbs in a one cup serving!
I like utilizing spaghetti squash in so many recipes. It’s an ideal spaghetti substitute if you’re on the lookout for a grain-free possibility, however I additionally love batch cooking it to have available for weekly salads and bowls.
Don’t hate me for this reply, nevertheless it doesn’t actually have a ton of taste. Though, I do suppose it has a bit of little bit of sweetness to it. It’s superb as a sub for pasta as a result of it lets no matter sauce you’re utilizing shine. You will get loopy along with your sauce flavorings and know that the spaghetti squash will actually be a base and never impart an excessive amount of taste.
Completely! Simply let the cooked squash cool fully earlier than transferring the noodles to freezer-safe baggage. To forestall the squash from freezer burn, you’ll need to squeeze as a lot air as attainable out of the luggage.
The squash ought to preserve for as much as 7-8 months within the freezer. Once you’re prepared to make use of your squash you possibly can switch from the freezer to the fridge to thaw till you’re able to reheat, however should you don’t have time to thaw the squash, that’s okay — frozen spaghetti squash might be reheated rapidly within the microwave, a steamer basket and even sautéed on the stovetop.
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