spaghetti squash

[cinnabar]

I bought a spaghetti squash today. I''ve never cooked one before in my life.

Are they anything like spaghetti? Or are they as much like spaghetti as tofu is like chicken? Am I going to be horribly disappointed by something that ends up like stringy zucchini?

 

[jorman]

It is definitely squash, but once cooked has the stringy consistency of spaghetti.
It has a wonderful flavor though.

Here''s a fun way to cook it:

Slice the squash in half. scoop out seeds leaving a hollow bowl.
place 1 Tbsp. butter in each half and back at 350 for an hour.

Once soft, scoop the shredded squash into a dish add your choice of seasonings:
salt and pepper
curry and seasoned salt
grated parmesean cheese and steamed brocolli
brown sugar and cinnamon and a dash of nutmeg
spaghetti sauce (not too bad if you add sauteed mushrooms or cubed chicken and melted parmesean cheese)

It should be tender and stringy.
Enjoy.
I love squash. One of my favorites is acorn squash.
It is very versatile.

-Janna

 

[jorman]

That should be *bake* not back.

 

[belle]

i love spaghetti squash

but if you''ve never had it before, i think your tofu/chicken analogy is pretty good. it is not going to be like spaghetti. do try it though, and let us know how you like it!

 

[cinnabar]

I made butternut squash soup last week, and that was to die for. I''m experimenting with different squashes and I expect to like some better than others but it''s going well so far

I am baking the spaghetti one right now, and will report back in due course.

 

[AndyRosse]

Mmmm....squash... Yummy.

Let us know how the spaghetti squash comes out!

 

[cinnabar]

Date: 9/19/2005 9:18:19 PM
Author: Stretch4
Mmmm....squash... Yummy.


Let us know how the spaghetti squash comes out!

OK, I''m ready to report ....

YUMMY!

I baked it like jorman said, and then I baked it some more with sweetcorn, green stringbeans and parmesan (and lots of ground black pepper) and served it with a dollop of butter.

It was slightly crunchy, does that mean I should have baked it longer until it went "al dente" like spaghetti, or is crunchy OK? I quite liked crunchy, but then I hate overdone soggy veggies. And it was only slightly crunchy. It scooped out of the half-shell really easily.

I think it''s a nice alternative to baked potatoes; you could have chili on top, or salsa/cheese.

I''ll be wanting acorn squash recipes now!

 

[bar01]

I cut in half, scoop out seeds and place down in a large pan of about 2 inches water. Low boil on stove top for around 15-20 mins. Use a fork to scrape out the strands on to a plate. Lots of butter, salt and pepper. Yum.

 

[jcrow]

i wish i''d a known what it was before i bought it. i thought it would be like squash- not the same. i was dissapointed and vowed never to buy it again. but- now that i know better and have a yummy sounding recipe- i might try it again... with better expectations.

 

[JCJD]

Date: 9/19/2005 8:06:57 PM
Author: jorman


I love squash. One of my favorites is acorn squash.

It is very versatile.


-Janna

Practically everybody has had acorn squash with butter and brown sugar inside, but here''s my faaaaaavorite acorn squash recipe!

Cut the squash in half, seed, and bake (Better Homes has instructions, follow your own cookbook if you like).
While the squash is baking, whip up some Uncle Ben''s Original Wild Rice. If you like, add some black or red kidney beans (1 can) into the rice just as you start to simmer it. Pile the rice into the squash when they''re done, and voila - Dinner! Yummy, savory, flavorful, and if you keep brown sugar on hand for when you''re done with the rice, you''ve got dinner and dessert in one!

 

[jorman]

JCJD- That sounds wonderful!
I will have to try that. Thanks!!

 

[Kamuelamom]

Cinnabar this is one type of squash I''ve always wanted to try. Thanks to those who contributed ideas to use them.