Cooking Spaghetti Squash

Yippee! ... Our squash is big enough to start cooking!!  I thought I would start out by baking some spaghetti squash, and use it as a pasta substitute.  Everybody tells me it is a great low carb "switch" (as Hungry Girl would say!!!).  The problem is that I have never made spaghetti squash before, so I had to look up the method for preparing the squash.  I thought you might be interested too.

THERE ARE TWO METHODS FOR GETTING YOUR SQUASH TO THE TABLE:

METHOD 1:   Cutting up the squash before cooking.

This is the fastest method for cooking the squash.  The problem is that it has a very hard outer shell, and very tough to cut through.  The other problem is that it is more difficult to remove the pulp and seeds when the squash is uncooked.

Oven Method:  Cut the squash length-wise or in quarters with a sharp knife.  Scrape out the seeds and pulp as you would for your Halloween jack-o-lantern.  Place each half or quarter on a baking sheet and bake rind side up for 30-40 minutes at 375 degrees.

Microwave Method:  Microwave for 6-8 minutes.  Let stand for a few minutes before serving.

Boil Method:  Place in a pot of boiling water and bowl for 20 minutes or so.

Pulling The Strings:  Take a fork and pull it through the meat of the squash from top to bottom direction.

METHOD 2:  Cooking the squash whole.

This is an easier method for cooking your spaghetti squash, but it takes longer to cook and you have to watch out for every hot temperature of the seeds and pulp as you take them out after cooking.

Oven Method:  Pierce the squash several times with a sharp knife.  Cook for an hour at 375 degrees.  Take out the squash.  Let is cool a few minutes, then carefully cut it into half or quarters, being careful not to get burned by steam or hot squash seeds and meat.

Microwave Method:  Prepare the squash as above and cook for 10-23 minutes.  Let stand for 5 minutes before opening, and once again use caution so you don't get burned.

Boiling Method:  Boil for 20 minutes, let stand 5 minutes before opening.  Open cautiously.


HERE IS A TIP FOR STORING YOUR SQUASH:

Like pumpkin and other winter squashes, whole uncooked spaghetti squash is best stored between 50-60 degrees, and will last up to six months that way.  If you have a room in your house or garage space that is not well heated, you could use this space to store your onions, squash, apples, etc.  On the other hand, spaghetti squash will keep several weeks at room temperature.