Spaghetti Squash

chrissyrenee1029

I'm giving spaghetti squash another shot. Honestly, I got frustrated trying to cut the darn thing open last time and literally threw it out the back door, lol. So recipes, along with your tips for getting inside to the good stuff would be awesome!

Soggynode

Bumping for later... My wife planted one in our garden again this year, the first time was a disaster. Hopefully you get some good ideas cause' I'm going to need some later in the year

terra32907

I wish I had the secret to how to cut one LOL. We (meaning my man) cut it long wise using a sharp butcher knife. It appears it takes some serious arm muscle as I just cant seem to get it opened myself. Once he has cut it open, I scrape the seeds out and put the halves on a cookie sheet. I sprinkle some salt and pepper on the insides and bake it for about an hour at 375 degrees. You can test it to see if its done but sticking a fork in it. Once I take it out of the oven I scrape the insides out of the shell with a fork and put it in a bowl with a tiny bit of butter and some fresh parsley. I love it just that way but its also good used in place of spaghetti. Sometimes I make turkey sloppy joes (Skinnytaste.com) and serve it on the spaghetti squash. DELISH!

So jealous that you all can grow squash! It's too wet here in Florida and the plants tend to get mildew and then die :-(

Francl27

I do the same as Terra. It's a real pain though. Typically I use it like I would use spaghetti.

canadjineh

Don't try cutting it apart while it's raw. Simple as that. You can stab it deeply in 4 or 5 places with a large knife (so it doesn't blow up) and pop it in your microwave for 15 minutes then check it. Once it is partially cooked you can easily cut it open & scrape out the seeds, then bake it if you wish, or just microwave til done and scrape the strands out and dress 'em up according to whatever you like.

canadjineh

It tastes good the next day after marinating in a bit of Greek Salad dressing. We do the spaghetti sauce thing too. And it's good with a Thai coconut curry gravy on it.

giggitygoo

To make it easier to open, you stab it a few times, and microwave it for 5 minutes, and let it sit in there and cool down for another 10. Then slice lengthwise with a serrated blade.

You can bake it again at this point or if you like it a little firm (I do) just scrape out the strings with a fork.

dward59

As canadjineh suggested.

Don't try cutting it apart while it's raw. Simple as that. You can stab it deeply in 4 or 5 places with a large knife (so it doesn't blow up) and pop it in your microwave for 15 minutes then check it....

We usually cut a triangle shaped piece out of a side to give a good vent. We let it go about 5 - 8 minutes in the microwave, depending on the size of the squash, let cool enough to handle, cut it, remove the seeds. Add a bit of water to the cavity in each half, cover with microwavable wrap and let it steam the rest of the way.

We usually do it with marinara as suggested, but it is also good just as a vegetable with a touch of olive oil and seasonings.

Red_sparkling_Titania

Don't try cutting it apart while it's raw. Simple as that. You can stab it deeply in 4 or 5 places with a large knife (so it doesn't blow up) and pop it in your microwave for 15 minutes then check it. Once it is partially cooked you can easily cut it open & scrape out the seeds, then bake it if you wish, or just microwave til done and scrape the strands out and dress 'em up according to whatever you like.

The pain I have gone through with the damn things and I never even thought about this! Der! Thank you ????

Caper88

Ok I wish I had of known about the microwave trick. I will try it next time since it makes sense.

As far as recipes go I just substitute my pasta noodles for spaghetti squash. The other day I made lasagna and meat sauce the way I normally do but I substituted the noodles for spaghetti squash and hamburger for chicken. I discovered that I actually like it more that way then with the noodles.

PennyVonDread

Don't try cutting it apart while it's raw. Simple as that. You can stab it deeply in 4 or 5 places with a large knife (so it doesn't blow up) and pop it in your microwave for 15 minutes then check it. Once it is partially cooked you can easily cut it open & scrape out the seeds, then bake it if you wish, or just microwave til done and scrape the strands out and dress 'em up according to whatever you like.

This! I've always roasted the whole thing before cutting it so it hasn't been a problem!

I eat it with pesto and pancetta, pork&(lite) sun-dried tomato alfredo, and with thai lime peanut sauce and chicken.

Spaghetti squash (or any squash really) and spiral-cut veggie "noodles" can be real calorie savers.

maryjay52

i made a cold spagetti squash salad with feta cheese , tomatoes , orange bell pepper , onion, cut up spinach leaves and italian seasoning, baslamic vinegar and olive oil ..salt and pepper to taste ..loved it

veggieluvr45

i made a cold spagetti squash salad with feta cheese , tomatoes , orange bell pepper , onion, cut up spinach leaves and italian seasoning, baslamic vinegar and olive oil ..salt and pepper to taste ..loved it

That sounds delicious!!

AsaThorsWoman

I never considered microwaving it!

I just cut it in half, scrap seeds, cover in olive oil, salt, pepper, bake for like 45 minutes.

I will have to try the microwave!

chrissyrenee1029

Thanks so much for the tips and recipes I'm going to give it a try when I'm on vaca next week!

jkestens63

Bump

JeralynSh

I always bake the whole thing and then cut it open after cooking. MUCH easier.

squeepig

I've always wondered if you could just boil it whole...

AnnaVee84

haha I almost cut my hand off one time trying to cut a raw spaghetti squash down the middle - gahhh never again!

I've learned now, haha, poke a few holes and microwave it first, then I cut an end off so that it can stand up straight and then it's easier to slice in half! Easy peasy and hand friendly!

Dogwalkingirl

http://paleomg.com/almost-5-ingredient-pizza-spaghetti-pie/

This is the best spaghetti squash recipe I have used. I eat it once a month and have for dinner and lunch the next day.. love it!

Roxmom66

I have used www.skinnytaste.com for recipes. There is a really yummy casserole with parmesan cheese (even my family like that one). I also use it instead of pasta, with ground turkey meat and veggies pasta sauce. There is some quite yummy recipes.

jenniferpark01

I have a veggie spiralizer (a kitchen gadget that you can put veggies on, crank a handle, and a plate cuts to look like pasta). I make my squash pasta with Zucchini. Way easier than spaghetti squash. I like to top mine with normal pasta toppings.

fatnomoremama

We use it in place of spaghetti. I adore pumpkin seeds so my daughter roasts the spaghetti squash seeds for me, they are delicious!

kristie874

After you've scraped the squash out, add a little butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, and parmesan cheese. It's delicious!

I've also made a creamy recipe. Here's what I entered into the recipe part of MFP to calculate (I weigh everything so I can't tell you other measurements):

390 calories per serving, makes 4 servings.

12 oz chicken breast
2 cloves garlic
208 g onion
160 g kale
1011 g spaghetti squash
1 cup almond milk
3 oz cream cheese
14 Tbsp parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Cut up and cook the chicken breast with a little salt and pepper. Saute the onion, garlic, and kale together. Add cooked, scraped squash. Cook together, in a separate pot, the milk, cream cheese, and parmesan cheese. Mix all ingredients together. Voila! Even my boyfriend liked it!

chrissyrenee1029

After you've scraped the squash out, add a little butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, and parmesan cheese. It's delicious!

I've also made a creamy recipe. Here's what I entered into the recipe part of MFP to calculate (I weigh everything so I can't tell you other measurements):

390 calories per serving, makes 4 servings.

12 oz chicken breast
2 cloves garlic
208 g onion
160 g kale
1011 g spaghetti squash
1 cup almond milk
3 oz cream cheese
14 Tbsp parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Cut up and cook the chicken breast with a little salt and pepper. Saute the onion, garlic, and kale together. Add cooked, scraped squash. Cook together, in a separate pot, the milk, cream cheese, and parmesan cheese. Mix all ingredients together. Voila! Even my boyfriend liked it!

That sounds awesome! And I think I already have everything I need I think this may be my experiment this week!

maryjay52

i made a cold spagetti squash salad with feta cheese , tomatoes , orange bell pepper , onion, cut up spinach leaves and italian seasoning, baslamic vinegar and olive oil ..salt and pepper to taste ..loved it

That sounds delicious!!

IT IS!!!!! got me going on here..now im going to go buy me one and make it lol

dklibert

I usually take a clever to it. I place it in the center and make a dent first. Then I put the front point of the clever in the dent and cut into the lower half. Then flip it around to cut the other half. My sister puts the whole squash in the microwave and cooks it a few minutes to soften it. then she cuts it and returns it to the microwave. She can never remember how long. so I can't pass that on. she has never been able to tell me.

I have grilled it and loved it. Here are some links to my blog and some recipes. Don't give up it really is a delicious versatile veggie.

http://soupspiceeverythingnice.blogspot.com/2014/01/cincinnati-chili-with-spaghetti-squash.html

http://soupspiceeverythingnice.blogspot.com/2013/09/bbq-spaghetti-squash-with-pulled-chicken.html

temptress75519

I love spaghetti Squash with butter and some brown sugar. Or just by itself. It's more of a dessert for me than a meal. It's sweet. Tried using it as noodles for spaghetti and it was disgusting.

BruceHedtke

I like it with ground pepper and coconut flakes.

HeidiCooksSupper

If you decide to cook spaghetti squash in the microwave, either cut it in half or cut BIG holes in it. Don't just poke it with a fork like you do for a potato. Use a big knife or something.

Why do I tell you this? Well, once upon a time a large spaghetti squash blew up, threw open the microwave door and spewed spaghetti squash strands all over my apartment great room. Cleaning it up was a chore, of course, but it's the sound of the squash explosion I remember most. I think it took several years off my life.

janatarnhem

If you decide to cook spaghetti squash in the microwave, either cut it in half or cut BIG holes in it. Don't just poke it with a fork like you do for a potato. Use a big knife or something.

Why do I tell you this? Well, once upon a time a large spaghetti squash blew up, threw open the microwave door and spewed spaghetti squash strands all over my apartment great room. Cleaning it up was a chore, of course, but it's the sound of the squash explosion I remember most. I think it took several years off my life.

OMG! Can imagine the noise ...and the mess!