The right way to cook dinner spaghetti squash for lengthy and engaging strands that can be utilized in quite a lot of spaghetti squash recipes!
My fascinating story about spaghetti squash is that certainly one of my spaghetti squash recipes went mega-viral practically a decade in the past, not as a result of it’s extremely scrumptious (which it IS) however as a result of Buzzfeed wrote an article about why it needs to be ashamed of itself.
I suppose it’s true what they are saying — there’s no such factor as dangerous publicity! 😉
Level being, I’ve cooked my justifiable share of spaghetti squash through the years and have landed on the easiest method to cook dinner it: slice the spaghetti squash into rings then roast them.
The result’s spaghetti squash strands which might be lengthy like precise spaghetti, crisp-tender vs mushy, plus there’s extra floor space to season so every chew is completely seasoned.
I can’t wait so that you can do this BEST technique for cooking spaghetti squash!
What’s Spaghetti Squash and What Does it Style Like?
Spaghetti squash is an rectangular squash that’s golden yellow with a gentle taste. That stated, it’s an amazing clean canvas for flavoring along with your favourite seasonings and sauces. After spaghetti squash has been cooked, the flesh is shredded with a fork to create lengthy strands that resemble spaghetti.
It’s actually a enjoyable meals to eat!
Spaghetti squash can be low in carbohydrates and energy, excessive in fiber, nutritional vitamins, and minerals, and even has antioxidants, too. We cook dinner it continuously within the fall, particularly.
The Finest Option to Lower a Spaghetti Squash
Like I stated, I’ve landed on slicing the spaghetti squash into rings as one of the best ways to chop it, versus slicing the squash in half lengthwise to create two “boats”. There’s nothing WRONG with slicing spaghetti squash into halves, however there are two foremost advantages to slicing them into rings as a substitute:
- The spaghetti squash strands come out crisp-tender as a substitute of mushy.
- Spaghetti squash strands develop in a round sample so while you slice the squash in half lengthwise, or “in opposition to the grain” so to talk, you slice via every strand leading to shorter shreds. Slicing the squash into rings doesn’t interrupt the expansion sample of the strands so that you get lengthy, spaghetti-like shreds!
What’s the Finest Option to Prepare dinner Spaghetti Squash?
Roast it. That’s it, that’s all you should know, ha!
Really, roasting spaghetti squash not solely attracts out the moisture from the squash but in addition caramelizes it for the easiest taste. I feel lots of occasions when folks consider squash, the phrases mushy, moist, or soggy come to thoughts. Drizzling the spaghetti squash with further virgin olive oil then seasoning with salt, pepper, and garlic powder (or no matter seasonings you want finest) and roasting is the most effective technique to supply actually mouthwatering squash with a satisfying, crisp-tender texture.
How Do You Use Cooked Spaghetti Squash?
Whether or not you roast the spaghetti squash as rings or “boats”, the cooked spaghetti squash strands can be utilized in quite a lot of methods. Listed here are some concepts:
- Use the strands as a gluten-free swap for pasta on spaghetti night time.
- Combine the shreds with a contact of butter and parmesan cheese for low carb “Buttered Noodles”.
- Toss the strands with vegan pesto for as a recent aspect dish.
- Toss with veggies, olives, and feta cheese like in my Very-Veggie Spaghetti Squash.
- Flip into stuffed spaghetti squash bowls with meatballs, marinara sauce, and cheese as a low-carb possibility for Meatball Subs.
- Flip the cooked spaghetti squash halves right into a low-carb pizza possibility (don’t @ me, Buzzfeed!) 😉
- Use the strands in a satisfying casserole.
- Function is as a wholesome, low-carb aspect for dinner tonight.
High 5 Suggestions for Getting ready and Cooking Spaghetti Squash
Cooking spaghetti squash isn’t rocket science however since squash has a tough, outer pores and skin that may be arduous to slice, I do have 5 necessary ideas for making ready and cooking spaghetti squash.
- Use a pointy, straight-edge knife: don’t try and cook dinner spaghetti squash should you don’t have a pointy, straight-edge knife like a chef’s knife. As a result of the squash could be very arduous previous to roasting (not as arduous as butternut squash, however nonetheless very arduous), this isn’t the time to make use of a uninteresting knife, or a small paring knife.
- Microwave the squash: microwaving the squash for two minutes previous to slicing helps soften it barely. I discover microwaving longer than 2 minutes begins to cook dinner the squash, which produces a steamed vs caramelized taste, however 2 minutes is crucial to assist soften the pores and skin only a bit.
- Transfer the squash not the knife: when slicing the squash into rings then eradicating the seeds from the facilities, transfer / rotate the squash, not the knife. I like to make use of a rocking movement with my knife whereas rotating the squash, versus sawing via it to create every slice. Equally, I flip every slice of squash in a circle like a steering wheel whereas maintaining the knife nonetheless to take away the seeds.
- Damp paper towel hack: dampen a paper towel then place it beneath the slicing board earlier than slicing the spaghetti squash so it stays in place with out slipping.
- Don’t over-bake: for spaghetti squash strands which might be crisp-tender, vs creamy, make certain you don’t over bake the spaghetti squash. Be happy to check a slice because it roasts to maintain tabs on how simply the strands are shredding, after which eat to check out the feel.
Whether or not you employ roasted spaghetti squash as a gluten free, low carb swap for spaghetti, or just select to face over the baking pan devouring roasty-toasty strands of spaghetti squash straight out of the oven (#beentheredonethat) I do know you’re going to like this technique for cooking spaghetti squash!
The right way to Put together and Prepare dinner Spaghetti Squash
Step 1: Pierce then microwave the spaghetti squash.
Begin with a big, complete spaghetti squash with unblemished pores and skin. A number of scars and spots are advantageous however keep away from a squash with punctures.
Use a straight-edged knife like a pointy chef’s knife to pierce the squash 4 or 5 occasions all the best way across the middle then microwave for 2 minutes, rotating the squash midway via. Piercing the pores and skin ensures that the squash doesn’t explode within the microwave!
Let the spaghetti squash cool for a couple of minutes then place a moist paper towel beneath a big slicing board to stop slipping and slice off the highest and backside of the squash.
Tip: this further step of inserting a moist paper towel beneath your slicing board to stop it from slipping is really a sport changer. You don’t want a slippery slicing board whereas utilizing a pointy knife to slice a tough squash!
Step 2: Slice the spaghetti squash into 1-1/2″ rings.
Use a rocking movement along with your knife whereas rotating the squash to create 1-1/2″ rings. It’s okay in the event that they’re greater or smaller than that — simply so long as they’re all usually the identical measurement.
In case your rings are thicker than 1-1/2″, plan on tacking on a bit extra baking time. In the event that they’re thinner than that, you’ll need much less baking time.
Step 3: Take away the seeds from every ring.
Insert your knife into the middle of every slice then rotate the slice like a steering wheel to chop out the seeds.
For the slices close to the ends of the squash, use a spoon to scoop out the goop!
Step 4: Season then roast the spaghetti squash.
Place the spaghetti squash rings onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or nonstick-sprayed foil then drizzle every ring with further virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder (or your favourite seasoning mix — my do-it-yourself seasoned salt plus pepper is nice too!)
Use your fingers to rub the oil and seasonings throughout the back and front of the rings, plus the within and out of doors of the squash.
Roast the rings for 25-35 minutes or till the flesh shreds simply with a fork. I additionally like to present the squash a style check for texture right here and there whereas it’s baking to make sure it’s not over-cooking.
Voila — true spaghetti-like strands of spaghetti squash!
The right way to Retailer
Use the roasted then shredded spaghetti squash instantly or scoop the strands into an hermetic container, cool to room temperature, after which cowl with a lid and retailer within the fridge for as much as 5 days. Reheat within the microwave if serving as a aspect dish or topping with sauce.
In case you’ll be utilizing the spaghetti squash strands in a casserole or stir fry / skillet meal, you need to use the strands chilly, straight out of the fridge.
Nonetheless you eat it, I hope you like this finest technique for tips on how to cook dinner spaghetti squash – ENJOY!
Use Cooked Spaghetti Squash in These Recipes
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The right way to Prepare dinner Spaghetti Squash
Description
The right way to cook dinner spaghetti squash for lengthy and engaging strands that can be utilized in quite a lot of spaghetti squash recipes!
Components
- 1 giant spaghetti squash (~4lbs)
- further virgin olive oil
- Seasonings: salt, pepper, garlic powder, do-it-yourself seasoned salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 levels then line a half sheet pan with parchment paper or nonstick-sprayed foil and put aside.
- Fastidiously pierce the spaghetti squash with the tip of a really sharp, straight-edge knife like a chef’s knife 4 or 5 occasions throughout the middle, all the best way round. Microwave for two minutes, flipping and rotating the spaghetti squash midway via, then let cool for five minutes.
- Place the spaghetti squash on a big slicing board with a moist paper towel positioned beneath it to stop the slicing board from slipping then slice each ends of the squash off and discard.
- Use your knife to slice the squash into 1-1/2″ rings — it helps to rock the knife whereas rotating the squash to create the rings, vs sawing via the squash along with your knife. Use a knife or spoon to scrape the seeds out from the insides of the rings then place on the ready baking sheet.
- Drizzle the tops of the spaghetti squash rings with further virgin olive oil then add the seasonings. Use your fingers to rub the oil and seasonings over each side of the rings, together with the insides and outsides. Roast for 25-35 minutes or till the squash shreds simply with a fork, flipping the rings and rotating the sheet pan 180 levels midway via the baking time.
- Shred the squash then use instantly or switch to a storage container and let cool to room temperature earlier than overlaying and storing within the fridge for as much as 5 days. Reheat previous to utilizing within the microwave.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Woman Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Photographs by Ashley McLaughlin
