This just isn't the same.

Swissmiss
Swissmiss Posts: 8,754 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I have tried spaghetti squash as a replacement for spaghetti noodles. No one liked it. It didn't taste like spaghetti, it tasted more like a moist vegetable. What am I doing wrong?
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Replies

  • cb83580
    cb83580 Posts: 136 Member
    What am I doing wrong?

    Expecting it to be exactly like spaghetti, most likely. It's not the same, but it is very good!

    I like to take it after it's cooked and dry-fry it for a bit to get some of the moisture out before adding the pasta sauce to it. I've found that it can be a little too watery, sometimes.

    But again, if you're expecting it to be exactly like the pasta noodles you're used to, expect disappointment. It's not the same...but it is something that tastes great with some pasta sauce!
  • Swissmiss
    Swissmiss Posts: 8,754 Member
    I like to take it after it's cooked and dry-fry it for a bit to get some of the moisture out before adding the pasta sauce to it. I've found that it can be a little too watery, sometimes.







    Thank you so much for this advice. I think that will help a lot.
  • kbailey374
    kbailey374 Posts: 71 Member
    I have tried spaghetti squash as a replacement for spaghetti noodles. No one liked it. It didn't taste like spaghetti, it tasted more like a moist vegetable. What am I doing wrong?

    lol, nothing. it's a poor substitute. Try corn spaghetti, it is pasta made w/ corn (if you're not doing white/wheat) it is "okay," but def. better than spag. squash
  • Pearsquared
    Pearsquared Posts: 1,656 Member
    I'm not a squash person in general, so I try to avoid it, lol. I tend to just go for 100% whole wheat pasta, especially when I have the time to make it myself.
  • sdereski
    sdereski Posts: 3,406 Member
    I tried it as well and did not like it! I love squash, but was not overly impressed with the spaghetti squash, so will not be making it again.
  • kavanaghev
    kavanaghev Posts: 75 Member
    You could also just try combining it with regular or whole wheat pasta so that you can eat just one serving of pasta but your bowl will be more full and your tummy more full because your meal looked bigger, without losing the taste and texture of normal pasta. When I started out I realized that I often wanted seconds just because I was used to larger servings than the actual serving size of whatever I was eating. I started putting 2 cups fresh spinach in my bowl with one serving pasta/couscous/whatever on top and it was delicious and more than enough. If you are a pasta lover, substitutes will likely never be satisfying and they don't have to replace the food you love. I have some penne pasta that is 10g protein per serving, it's amazing for hitting my goal protein intake, while still getting my carb on.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Bah just have whole grain spaghetti. Why do you want to stop eating pasta?
  • MelsAuntie
    MelsAuntie Posts: 2,833 Member
    You're not doing anything wrong. Spaghetti squash just looks like spaghetti, but it tastes awful, in my opinion.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,024 Member
    Bah just have whole grain spaghetti. Why do you want to stop eating pasta?
    THIS. Substituting something for a "healthier" option should come with the expectation that it's NOT going to be the same.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • ramonafrincu
    ramonafrincu Posts: 160 Member
    Bah just have whole grain spaghetti. Why do you want to stop eating pasta?
    THIS. Substituting something for a "healthier" option should come with the expectation that it's NOT going to be the same.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    QFT
  • juniperleaves
    juniperleaves Posts: 45
    Well it's never going to taste exactly like spaghetti! But it's a pretty good substitute if you like the taste.

    If you're just trying to add more veggies, I'd suggest mixing it in with the regular pasta instead of just eating spaghetti squash on it's own (like stated above).
  • Siege_Tank
    Siege_Tank Posts: 781 Member
    *channels Alton brown*

    With cooking in odd ways, you can use science to get to where you want to go. To take so.e of the moisture out, and hit the consistentcy that you want and the right texture, cook it twice. After cooking it once and shredding it, put it in your chill chest to suck the moisture clean out of it, maybe an hour or two, and then you can bring it up to temperature any way you like, oven, in a pan with a touch of olive oil.
  • Railr0aderTony
    Railr0aderTony Posts: 6,803 Member
    I have found the best trick to cooking Spaghetti Squash i HIGH HEAT, 450 for an hour cut in half face down on a sheetpan, not as mushy, the strings are tight and will hold sauce. Will it ever be pasta? NO, but it is very good and has its own flavor.
  • BurtHuttz
    BurtHuttz Posts: 3,653 Member
    eata you real spaghet; isa gud fo you!

    chef-3.gif
  • So_Much_Fab
    So_Much_Fab Posts: 1,146 Member
    Agree with the posters that said you can't expect it to taste like spaghetti. I just roast it and eat it with a little butter and some seasonings...but I just found a good recipe if you want to give it a go:

    http://www.chow.com/recipes/13563-roasted-spaghetti-squash-with-parmigiano-reggiano
  • PlayerHatinDogooder
    PlayerHatinDogooder Posts: 1,018 Member
    What am I doing wrong?

    Not eating regular spaghetti.
  • sullus
    sullus Posts: 2,839 Member
    I'm always telling my wife (a picky eater) .. be more zen about your food. Taste it for what it IS, not for what you want it to be.
  • luckyjuls
    luckyjuls Posts: 505 Member
    What am I doing wrong?

    Not eating regular spaghetti.

    A+. Get a food scale. Get some spaghetti. Weigh out a portion dry. Boil it. Cover it in homemade sauce with veggies. Put in your mouth. Go nom nom nom.
    anigif_enhanced-buzz-5928-1367888832-3.gif
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    It's like expecting cauliflower to taste like pizza or potatoes. No.
  • Candi_land
    Candi_land Posts: 1,311 Member
    Eat real spaghetti.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    Crap, if you want some lower calorie pasta, try the fiber gourmet stuff. It's delicious. Spaghetti squash tastes like moist veggies because that's exactly what it is.
  • abbylg1983
    abbylg1983 Posts: 177 Member
    I like it enough to eat it, but I definitely prefer angel hair pasta. It's okay though. Kind of a lot of work to prepare. I mostly make it as a way to get my daughter to eat a vegetable.
  • bound4beauty
    bound4beauty Posts: 274 Member
    I agree with everyone else. It's a vegetable, not pasta LOL.

    If you're giving up wheat, try brown rice pasta. I think it's a pretty good substitute. If you're just trying to cut calories, try http://www.fibergourmet.com.. You won't be able to tell the difference between this and regular pasta. Or just do whole wheat pasta and add lots of good veggies.
  • whitterbugkru
    whitterbugkru Posts: 41
    Ick, no. I cannot do that recipe, I hate spaghetti squash, it is nothing like real spaghetti. I would go with whole wheat angel hair pasta and pasta sauce and just watch the calories. Not worth it to save some on something disgusting, tbh,
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    What am I doing wrong?

    You're not eating regular spaghetti pasta.

    I love spaghetti squash, but it is it's own thing...I don't really think of it as a substitute. Just eat regular spaghetti and fit it in...there's isn't anything inherently wrong with pasta, I eat it regularly.
  • Wantingtolose1
    Wantingtolose1 Posts: 139 Member
    You could try miracle noodles or we have smart pasta here in Australia which is like 10 calories a serve not sure if you guys have it there but if you have that or something similar that's also an option. Or else as others have said have one portion of real pasta. If its not enough add a salad or vegetables to your meal to fill you up
  • Swissmiss
    Swissmiss Posts: 8,754 Member
    Bah just have whole grain spaghetti. Why do you want to stop eating pasta?
    THIS. Substituting something for a "healthier" option should come with the expectation that it's NOT going to be the same.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition


    To be honest...I hate all pasta. Not that it is bad, I just don't eat much starches at all.
  • LifeWithPie
    LifeWithPie Posts: 552 Member
    Bah just have whole grain spaghetti. Why do you want to stop eating pasta?
    THIS. Substituting something for a "healthier" option should come with the expectation that it's NOT going to be the same.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition


    To be honest...I hate all pasta. Not that it is bad, I just don't eat much starches at all.

    If you hate pasta, then why the heck are you mad spaghetti squash doesn't taste like pasta?
  • Swissmiss
    Swissmiss Posts: 8,754 Member
    You are so right....why am I doing this? The reason I have tried this is that I am hoping to add some healthy foods to my family's diets.
  • Swissmiss
    Swissmiss Posts: 8,754 Member
    *channels Alton brown*

    With cooking in odd ways, you can use science to get to where you want to go. To take so.e of the moisture out, and hit the consistentcy that you want and the right texture, cook it twice. After cooking it once and shredding it, put it in your chill chest to suck the moisture clean out of it, maybe an hour or two, and then you can bring it up to temperature any way you like, oven, in a pan with a touch of olive oil.



    Thanks for sharing this. Alton is my husband's favorite chief. It is the science part that he loves. We have several of his cookbooks. I don't use them because I find all the extra (sciencific) information iratating.

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