Ode to Spaghetti Squash

October 21, 2010

Oh dear spaghetti squash, how have I lived a life without your filling fiber? Your strands of sauce delivery? You are the ying to my yang… for this week at least.

I went to the grocery store (one of my least favorite activities EVER) and they had this massive display of pumpkins, gourds and funny squashes. I really dislike yellow squash. It’s one of the very few things that I won’t eat, thus why I have avoided the spaghetti squash. Could it really taste that good?

Man I was wrong! On a whim (and probably because I was shopping while hungry – cardinal sin of grocery shopping), I picked up 2 of these things and decided to try them out. If I didn’t like them, I could toss them – no biggie.

I searched a lot of sites on how to cook the squash. The first attempt I didn’t cook it long enough, but had no idea what it was supposed to be like. The second time, I cooked an extra 10 minutes and it was perfect. I picked up 2 more from the store today (a special trip JUST for spaghetti squash – amazeballs!) and cooked tonight’s too short again, so put it back in for another 10 minutes. Probably depends on the size of the squash. If you’re unsure, start to shred w/your fork. If you can’t shred to the skin of the squash, it’s not done. It should shred easily.

So, here’s my journey into spaghetti squash making.

Nutritional information (via Livestrong):

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrient database, 1 cup of cooked spaghetti squash provides 42 calories, 0.4 gram of fat, 1 g of protein, 10 g of carbohydrate (4 g as sugar) and 2.2 g of fiber.

Tonight, I enjoyed a whopping 2 cups of spaghetti squash at 84 calories (that stuff is heavy and dense and very filling!) with 1/2 cup of fettuccine sauce (220 calories), sea salt, pepper and minced garlic. Super filling at just over 300 calories. RIDICULOUS. Seriously. I bet it would have been great with some diced chicken breast, but I was too tired and lazy to cook the chicken.

So tell me, do you like spaghetti squash? What do you season it with, or what is your favorite way to eat it?

Tagged as: food, spaghetti squash

  • fluffygirl

    I tried that 2 weeks ago. You can top it with anything!

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com skinnyemmie

      I know, right? It’s so versatile!

  • Mo

    Emily, you can stab it like you would a potato and zap it in the microwave, too.

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com skinnyemmie

      I’m going to try that tonight

  • Mo

    My favorite way to eat it- I use it in place of pasta. My sauce is a carton of TGIF Spinach Artichoke dip with sauteed onion and a package of imitation crab meat added to it and heated. (Add a little chicken broth if you want it to go further.)

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com skinnyemmie

      This sounds great, Mo

  • http://www.lifeunfurled.com Dawn

    http://www.food.com/recipe/southwest-spaghetti-squash-81845

    This … with some red bell pepper and chopped zucchini added … absolutely amazing.

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com skinnyemmie

      This sounds like something my husband would like to scoop with chips. Maybe I’ll try it next week!

  • http://twitter.com/FindingChristi Finding Christi

    Oh thank you thank you! I have been dying to try spaghetti squash for forever! I tried it once and like you I under cooked it and have never been brave enough to try it again. I had tried cooking it in the microwave and it was a total disaster for me, your way in the oven sounds way better…I’ll let you know how it turns out!

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com skinnyemmie

      Keep me posted! I’m going to try the microwave version today.

  • http://thewomaninsideme.blogspot.com/ TheWomanInsideMe

    Yeah. Spaghetti squash is my new pasta. It is super easy to make and fills you up. You also might try butternut squash. I use it like potatoes now. Warning though: it is a sonofab*tch to cut and peel.

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com skinnyemmie

      yum, that sounds great- I’m going to try it!

  • http://debbidoesdinnerhealthy.blogspot.com/ Debbi Does Dinner Healthy

    I have a new love for spaghetti squash too!! I made 2 recipes and they are both on my blog, a Spaghetti Squash Mac and cheese and a Southwestern Spaghetti Squash I think. Both rocked. (not trying to plug my blog or anything, I just love sharing recipes!!)

    Love, love your blog, I read but don’t always comment as it’s hard to comment using disqus. It freaks out and it’s not quick. :-(

  • http://hollyanneandkevin2011.blogspot.com Kevin

    You can also stab it several times with a fork, then pop it in the microwave for 11 minutes. After that, cut it open, scoop out the seeds, and then shred the insides with a fork! LOVE spaghetti squash!

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com skinnyemmie

      great to know! I will try this tonight

    • http://skinnyemmie.com Skinny Emmie

      Thanks Kevin- I’m going to try this method tonight.

  • http://rosieisaloser.blogspot.com/ Rosie’s Weight Loss Blog

    I’ve never tried it, but I love butternut squash, so I’ll have to try spaghetti squash now!

  • Jess

    Love spaghetti squash! This is my favorite way to make it:
    http://dinnersforayear.blogspot.com/2009/08/spaghetti-squash-with-parmesan-and.html

  • Brook

    I love it seasoned with a little sprinkle of salt and nutmeg before baking. I bake it on a baking sheet w/ a spray of Pam, no water. Then I love to make carbonara out of it with heavy cream, an egg yolk, parm cheese, and bacon mixed through it. I usually add some steamed spinach and/or chopped asparagus, tomatoes or something to get more veggies into it (which I guess is weird since it is a veggie to begin with…).

  • http://www.CurvyGoddessLounge.com The Curvy Goddess

    I remember I tried spaghetti squash when I was in high school. I was dumbfounded by how this squash had these spaghetti like strands.

    I’ll have to try them again after I go into my stabilization phase of this program that I’m on.

  • http://margaretedith.wordpress.com/ Maggie

    This recipe is scheduled for dinner in the very near future: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/spaghetti_squash_pork_stir_fry.html

    I think it sounds pretty good!

  • http://diana-journeyofalifetime.blogspot.com Diana P.

    I love spaghetti squash! I substitute it for regular pasta and use it with spaghetti sauce and ground turkey. Also, one of my favorite things to do with it is serve it with grilled chicken and top it with avocado pesto (it’s a recipe from the Biggest Loser cookbook) –basically just avocado, a whole bunch of fresh basil, s&p, parmesan cheese and hot water, then blend it…….YUM!

    Also, you can cook it in the microwave as well. You just poke a bunch of holes in it with a knife, and cook it on high about 5 minutes per pound.

  • http://fatfriesplease.blogspot.com/ Elle

    I never knew that about squash ! I always walk past it when I’m at the grocery store. I’ll definitely give it a try very soon ! Thanks for sharing. :)

  • Sally Maggie

    Wanna know a secret? You can micro it (halved, face-down and submerged in water) and in 12 short minutes your spaghetti squash is done. My favourite spaghetti squash prep is with a tomato sauce with mushrooms and sausage!

  • Gwen

    Ooh, cool idea. I’ve been trying to cut calories a bit in the evenings so this sounds like a great option.

  • thetreadmilldiaries

    Like it roasted in the oven with olive oil, garlic, salt & pepper or topped with pasta sauce. Yum.

  • frout

    I really want to find this ! how is that different from pumpinks ?

  • http://www.waistingtimeblog.com Karen

    Deep Dish Spaghetti Squash Pie! Fabulous.

  • http://www.anonymousfatgirl.com AFG

    So glad you switched your comments back to the WP default. The Discuss ones always gave me trouble. :)

    I’ve just recently tried spaghetti squash for the first time a month or so ago. Very good. And worthwhile! :)

    • http://skinnyemmie.com Skinny Emmie

      Had quite a few complaints with Disqus, so we’ll go back to the default way for now!

  • http://www.fatshionchic.com jessica kane

    I don’t believe you!! LOL…ummm okay, i really need to try that!!!!! So, back into get healthy and take care of my body mode, so looking for yummy healthy amazeballs recipes….and thank GOD i know Skinny Emmie!!
    I’m here with you baby!
    and i hope to see you over at my blog girl…
    xoxo
    jessica kane of http://www.fatshionchic.com

  • http://www.110pounds.com Lisa

    The bf and I love spaghetti squash. We eat it like regular pasta spaghetti. With red sauce, turkey meatballs and garlic bread. Delicious!

  • http://soskinnyontheinside.blogspot.com Tara Kieninger

    Ha ha! This is a timely post! I have one that’s been in my fridge for about 3 weeks because I wasn’t sure what to do with it, if I would like it, etc. You’ve inspired me to get it out and cook it (if it’s still good!). Thanks!

  • http://sexybysarah.com Sarahbear

    I got so excited when I saw spaghetti squash when I went grocery shopping today. I bought one and I’m looking up recipes now. I found one that sounds so good and simple, just a little butter and herbs (Emeril Lagasse). Can’t wait to try it this weekend!

  • alice

    You inspired me to finally try spaghetti squash. I have lots of friends who have said it’s the bomb, but I tend to not like “stringy” things, and that’s how I pictured it. But that’s not the case! I loved it – although I have to admit I will cook it a bit differently next time. I did a microwave method because I was impatient, and it exploded in the nuker even though I poked it a bunch of times with a knife. Next time I think I’ll try the oven approach. It was delicious with a little bit of butter, salt & pepper, and a liberal sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Nom nom nom.

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  • http://trigirl.blogspot.com Karla

    Ugh, like so many things, my mother ruined spaghetti squash for me (mushrooms, courgettes/zuchini, aubergine/eggplant and liver, too), but these recipes sound gorgeous. I might have to try one

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  • Jenny

    What a fun and easy idea! I think I will have to try it :)

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