topic Re: Spaghetti Squash! in Kitchen

Spaghetti Squash!

ical — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 22:09:44 GMT

Easy way to make it for anyone interested!

You wash it thoroughly. Cut in in 1/2 lengthwise. Remove the seeds. Place it in oiled bakeware (with the skin facing up, the empty bowl side down.) Bake until you can poke your finger on the skin and it gives (varies in time based on size of squash).

Or! You can get creative and bake it with the bowl side up and bake it with whatever you want to experiment with.

In either case, above, you simple remove the "spaghetti" from the shell.

Maybe this has been done before and mentioned on this board, but I just found out about it and was so delighted because I used to struggle peeling the uncooked squash and then steaming the seeded melon.

Re: Spaghetti Squash!

susan kay — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 22:20:06 GMT

I picked up one at an open market last weekend and made it tonight. Great with salt, pepper, a little butter and a LOT of parmesan cheese.

Re: Spaghetti Squash!

I am still oxox — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 22:24:20 GMT

We love sketti squash, only thing it can be really tough to cut at times

Re: Spaghetti Squash!

qvcrose — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 22:47:21 GMT

re: hard to cut (and to make seeds easier to remove)-

I poke some holes into the whole squash with a meat serving fork, the microwave it on high for 5 minutes. Wait a few, then cut lengthwise- so much easier to cut-, scoop seeds and put cut sides down on parchment lined backing sheet. 45 minutes at 350 degrees finishes it up nicely.

The cooked spaghetti squash freezes well in a ziplock freezer bag so I often cook 2 at a time. I just nuke it in a pyrex bowl to serve.

In addition to serving with sauces (really good with alfredo as well as traditional red), it works well in a casserole with cheese, onions, jalapenos etc just like the traditional yellow squash.

We love it.

Re: Spaghetti Squash!

ChynnaBlue — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 22:49:52 GMT

That's how my mom always cooked spaghetti or acorn squash, so it's how I've always done it, too. I peeled a spaghetti squash for a recipe once and it was a big pain - glad you found a new way!

I love squash.

Re: Spaghetti Squash!

ical — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 23:05:51 GMT

Thanks for your replies!

I love spaghetti squash and never had it (neither of my parents cooked such things, lol).

So I always used to have a "spaghetti squash" project whenever I bought one. And I dreaded it. It was like trying to peel a bowling ball.

I just found out, as I mentioned, how to do it the way I mentioned, and I just wanted to share!

Yum! I like mine with lots of olive oil, a bit of salt, and chopped fresh tomatoes.

Re: Spaghetti Squash!

AnnMarie-1 — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 23:37:09 GMT

I love spaghetti squash!

My grocery store (Wegman's) will cut the squash in half for free, helps so much!

I scoop out the seeds & scrap it some & sometimes I cook in the microwave with a little water & a splatter guard over it (holds in the steam)...check every 5 minutes, doesn't take long

I freeze it so I can have it whenever we have pasta, this way I eat about half real pasta & use this as a pasta filler

Re: Spaghetti Squash!

terrier3 — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 00:18:40 GMT

On 9/18/2014 AnnMarie-1 said:
I love spaghetti squash!

My grocery store (Wegman's) will cut the squash in half for free, helps so much!

I scoop out the seeds & scrap it some & sometimes I cook in the microwave with a little water & a splatter guard over it (holds in the steam)...check every 5 minutes, doesn't take long

I freeze it so I can have it whenever we have pasta, this way I eat about half real pasta & use this as a pasta filler

I didn't know that Wegmans will cut it for you. I rarely buy spaghetti squash because of the tough shell.

Who does the cutting? Do you ask the people making the ready to go veggies?

Re: Spaghetti Squash!

RespectLife — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 15:30:53 GMT

On 9/18/2014 terrier3 said:
On 9/18/2014 AnnMarie-1 said:
I love spaghetti squash!

My grocery store (Wegman's) will cut the squash in half for free, helps so much!

I scoop out the seeds & scrap it some & sometimes I cook in the microwave with a little water & a splatter guard over it (holds in the steam)...check every 5 minutes, doesn't take long

I freeze it so I can have it whenever we have pasta, this way I eat about half real pasta & use this as a pasta filler

I didn't know that Wegmans will cut it for you. I rarely buy spaghetti squash because of the tough shell.

Who does the cutting? Do you ask the people making the ready to go veggies?

Wow, AnnMarie! Another WNY Wegman's shopper here...and I didn't know that either. Thanks for sharing that.

Yes, please...let us know who you go to in the store for this.

I have to wait until my DH comes home and gets the chain saw...lol

qvcrose had a great idea above to poke and microwave for 5 mins. in order to cut it easier. That is a great idea! Thanks, qvcrose! I wouldn't have to wait for DH to get home to start cooking!

Re: Spaghetti Squash!

Mtnbikegirl — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 15:54:57 GMT

I have always been a big fan of Spaghetti Squash. I bake it whole, then scoop out the seeds, and the skin separates easily from the "spaghetti." I prepare it with grilled chicken, salsa, and sour cream. It is so good!

I'm going to head to the farm stand right now to pick some up-thanks for the inspiration!

Re: Spaghetti Squash!

ical — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 15:56:35 GMT

I'll have to ask where I shop, if they'll cut it for me! The way I've cut a spaghetti squash is, after I wash it, I place it on a folded towel on the floor (with the squash on the folded towel). I take a butcher knife and wedge it into the stem end (stem removed, of course), and I wiggle it close to exact center of the squash and press with the palm of my hand. Then I take a hammer (yes, I know, but it works!), and I bang the butcher knife and the squash POPS in 1/2! You can't be in love with your utensils to do this though! I think I'll ask the produce people where I shop if they can cut it! Thanks for the suggestion--it's probably a safer option.

Re: Spaghetti Squash!

ical — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 15:58:06 GMT

On 9/19/2014 mtnbikegirl said:
I have always been a big fan of Spaghetti Squash. I bake it whole, then scoop out the seeds, and the skin separates easily from the "spaghetti." I prepare it with grilled chicken, salsa, and sour cream. It is so good!

I'm going to head to the farm stand right now to pick some up-thanks for the inspiration!

Will it explode? I did that once with chestnuts…I'm still trying to forget that…lol!

Re: Spaghetti Squash!

terrier3 — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 16:06:53 GMT

On 9/18/2014 terrier3 said:
On 9/18/2014 AnnMarie-1 said:
I love spaghetti squash!

My grocery store (Wegman's) will cut the squash in half for free, helps so much!

I scoop out the seeds & scrap it some & sometimes I cook in the microwave with a little water & a splatter guard over it (holds in the steam)...check every 5 minutes, doesn't take long

I freeze it so I can have it whenever we have pasta, this way I eat about half real pasta & use this as a pasta filler

I didn't know that Wegmans will cut it for you. I rarely buy spaghetti squash because of the tough shell.

Who does the cutting? Do you ask the people making the ready to go veggies?

I just came from getting a spaghetti squash at Wegmans. There were two people working in the area where they package up the veggies for stir frys and quick cooking. I asked a young guy and he didn't know what I was talking about...but the woman working there said she would cut it - she said it was the third request she had this week. She also asked me if I wanted to buy the whole squash or just a half (I didn't know they will do that for you either!)

She used an ENORMOUS knife - it was at least 2 feet long...she said it was a Japanese cleaver. First she placed it in the squash (by kind of throwing the cleaver into the vegetable.) Then she picked it up and bashed it into her work table...that split it in two.

I wouldn't want to try that at home!

Re: Spaghetti Squash!

jackthebear — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 16:48:31 GMT

I love it too, and usually cook it whole,

But best to plan ahead to give the squash time to cool down so you can cut it in half and scoop out the seeds. Just another plan if it is too hard to cut for you.

It is good with some nutmeg on it.

Re: Spaghetti Squash!

RespectLife — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 20:19:16 GMT

terrier3...LOL...I am picturing her using a giant machete with a karate movement! Did she let out a 'warrior cry' as she bashed it down?

I am definitely going to ask too when I shop this weekend!

Ya know...I have seen half of a cabbage head wrapped up for sale...and wondered if they did that for people...sell you half.

At home, I'll stick with the chain saw! (just kidding!)

Re: Spaghetti Squash!

Chihuahualuv — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 21:06:48 GMT

I love spaghetti squash. I bake and scoop out the "spaghetti." Toss with a little olive oil, S&P. Saute red onions, sliced black olives, garlic and cherry tomatoes. Put that on top of the squash and top with feta. So good!

Re: Spaghetti Squash!

chrystaltree — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 21:11:22 GMT

That's how I always cooked it, my mom cooked it that way. Never knew there was any other way. I would never have attempted it if I had to cut the thing before cooking it. That can't be easy.