Recipes

[LizzieInSRQ]

Hi I was hankering for Spaghetti Squash as I do not usually cook it but once or twice a year if that. I find them very hard to cut them open etc. since I broke my back and few years ago. 

Well I was really craving it and found a method online for cooking on in my Instant Pot. Game changer for me as you don't even have to cut them in half! They do NOT explode, dont worry.

In a 6 quart Instant Pot:

• pour in 1 cup of water.
• Place the trivet in.
• Place the medium Speghetti squash in. (EDITED TO ADD : the method i found online did NOT mention to poke/slice into the squash to avoid exploding. I did that but next time I wont. Ill let ya know. Ive stopped poking potatoes too as Ive personally have never heard of anyone having that happen ...we are all just used to doing that.)  
• Put the cover on. Make sure the pot is set to Seal ( my IP version does that automatically) .
• Set for High pressure 18 minutes.
• When it's done let it naturally pressure release for 10 minutes.if it's not done enough because of size, just put it back in and high pressure for 5-10 more minutes I am guessing. 
• Use trivet handles to lift out. I steady with a folded tea towel
• Place on cutting board horizontally 
• Slice off each end (1/4 to 1/2 inch) , and then slice down the middle
• Scoop out seeds. 
• Fork out the delicious shreds of squash and dress as you wish

Boom, Bob's your Uncle! This can be done with any hard squashes; butternut, kabocha, acorn etc. 

Im so excited to learn this. I will never do it another way now if I can. Im going to be eating a lot more hard squash in my future. Enjoy.

[spumoni99]

So you cook it whole?  Do you poke it with a fork? Sorry if you mentioned that and I missed it.

[LizzieInSRQ]

@spumoni99 the method online did not say to. I did so I will go back and edit. It does not hurt to do so. 

[SilleeMee]

I cook mine in a pressure cooker but first I cut the ends off and then place it in the pot to cook it. 

[LizzieInSRQ]

@SilleeMee that is good to know as I know it cuts down on cooking time to cut them jn half or the ends before pressure cooking. Unfortunately with my back injury, i can't seem to cut into it raw. It worked without having to.cut at all before pressure cooking, I just have to cook 18 min instead of 7 or so.

[wagirl]

Love spaghetti squash!!! Another thing I cook all the time, is polenta. So easy and fast and turns out amazing every time. You use the pot-in-pot method in the pressure cooker. super easy too.

[We rescue cats]

Using a sharp paring knife I make slits in the whole squash, put it in the microwave for 10-15 minutes (depending on size), then remove nd cut it in half. Clean out seeds using a large serving spoon and you are set to do whatever you like with it. I often scrape it out of the skin onto a cooking sheet, dot with butter or olive oil, sprinkle with fresh grated parmesan and bake it for 10 ot 15 minutes at 300. Then do what I wish with it.....usually top with spaghetti sauce.