How to cook spaghetti squash

How to cook spaghetti squash

How to cook spaghetti squash

by GBC Kitchen 4 June 2019

Discover the best ways to prepare and cook spaghetti squash, an unusual variety that pulls apart into strands once roasted.

How to cook spaghetti squash

Discover the best ways to prepare and cook spaghetti squash, an unusual variety that pulls apart into strands once roasted.

Spaghetti squash is exactly what you might guess; a variety of squash with flesh that pulls into spaghetti-like strands when cooked. This carb-free alternative to pasta has been popular amongst people on low-carb and gluten-free diets, and as the vegetable is packed with vitamins and minerals it's a generally healthier option if that’s what you’re after. The seeds, like pumpkin seeds, are excellent for roasting up into a crunchy, healthy treat.

Spaghetti squash can be either yellow or orange, but always be sure to select a firm, unblemished one. Smaller squash make great individual portions, whilst the bigger ones are nice for a showstopping sharing dish.

How to cook spaghetti squash

Whilst you can boil, microwave or steam spaghetti squash, roasting gets the most flavour into it as it starts to caramelise – and as it is relatively mild in flavour, this is no bad thing!

Ingredients

Metric

Imperial

1
Preheat the oven to 200°C/gas mark 6
2
Slice the squash in half lengthways and scrape out the seeds with a spoon. Remember you can toast the seeds if you want to
3
Lightly drizzle the cut sides of the squashes with olive oil and sprinkle with a little salt
4
Place cut-side down on a baking tray and roast for 25–30 minutes
5
Remove from the oven and turn the squash halves over – be careful as steam will have gathered in the seed cavity
6
Use a fork to scrape out the flesh. It can be quite watery, so place the flesh into a sieve to let it drain a bit. Remember to keep the skins if you’re using for presentation

What spaghetti squash goes with

Spaghetti squash has a mild taste, making it an excellent vehicle for strong flavours. This baked spaghetti squash recipe is packed with a punchy stuffing of olives, capers, lemon zest and Parmesan. You could also go down the spiced route by adding it to curries or hot Thai soups in place of (or as well as) noodles.

The fun and unusual texture of spaghetti squash makes it a very versatile ingredient. As the name suggests, you can use it as a pasta replacement and serve with a pesto or tomato sauce. The same goes for noodle dishes; try it tossed into a stir-fry with lots of chilli and ginger (just make sure the squash has been drained of as much liquid as possible first). It also makes a great base for a bhaji, fritter or hash. This chorizo hash recipe uses spaghetti squash instead of potatoes for a twist on the classic brunch dish.

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