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What Spaghetti Squash Is and What You Need to Prepare It
The Spruce / Leah Maroney Spaghetti squash is a good alternative to pasta, potatoes, or rice. The cooked squash flesh shreds into threads like thin spaghetti or vermicelli, hence its name.
On average, a spaghetti squash measures about 12 inches in length and about 6 inches in diameter. The squash should be an even light yellow color and firm with no bruises. Store whole at room temperature up to 3 weeks. Spaghetti squash is available year-round with peak season in fall.
Spaghetti squash has a very mild flavor, thus it is usually served with a sauce of some sort. It also may be enjoyed simply with salt and a bit of butter. Cooking the squash is very simple.
You Will Need
- 1 spaghetti squash
- Large sharp knife
- Baking pan
- Oven
- Kitchen fork
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Bake the Spaghetti Squash
The Spruce / Leah Maroney - Preheat the oven to 375 F.
- Prick the spaghetti squash all over with a metal skewer or fork so it will not burst while baking.
- Place whole squash in a shallow baking pan.
- Bake for 1 hour.
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Cut the Baked Spaghetti Squash
The Spruce / Leah Maroney - Let baked spaghetti squash cool until it can be handled.
- Cut it in half lengthwise with a serrated knife.
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Remove the Seeds
The Spruce / Leah Maroney - Scoop the seeds and fibrous strings from the center of each half of cooked spaghetti squash.
- Discard the seeds and strings or save for composting.
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Turn Squash Into Noodles
The Spruce / Leah Maroney - Gently scrape the tines of a kitchen fork around the edge of the spaghetti squash to shred the pulp into strands.
- Continue until you have as many "noodles" as you can get. Use in a recipe.
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How to Serve Spaghetti Squash
The Spruce / Leah Maroney - Cooked spaghetti squash is usually served with a sauce or gravy because the flesh is very bland in flavor.
- It can be served alone as a side dish with the addition of salt, pepper, and butter or as part of the main course.
- Try this recipe using spaghetti squash: turkey tetrazzini with spaghetti squash or make an alfredo version.