How To Cook A Spaghetti Squash Food

HOW TO COOK SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350˚. With a sharp knife, very carefully cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise. (Stick the knife into the center of the squash, then cut down. Again, be careful!) Scoop out the seeds and pulp in the center and discard. Place the squash, cut side up, on a large baking sheet. Rub a little olive oil over the cut surface, then place the pan in the oven for 1 hour or until a fork is easily inserted into the squash.
• When the squash is cooked, use a fork to scrape the stringy squash out of the shell. Add the squash to a bowl; drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

HOW TO COOK SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Steps:

• (BAKE IT).
• Pierce the whole shell several times with a large fork or skewer and place in baking dish.
• Cook squash in preheated 375°F oven approximately 1 to 1-1/2 hours or until flesh is tender, It took about 1 1/2 hours for mine to tender up.
• *****.
• (BOIL IT).
• Heat a pot of water large enough to hold the whole squash.
• When the water is boiling, drop in the squash and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, depending on its size.
• When a fork goes easily into the flesh, the squash is done.
• *****.
• (MICROWAVE IT).
• Cut squash in half lengthwise; remove seeds.
• Place squash cut sides up in a microwave dish with 1/4 cup water.
• Cover with plastic wrap and cook on high for 10 to 12 minutes, depending on size of squash.
• Add more cooking time if necessary.
• Let stand covered, for 5 minutes.
• With fork "comb" out the strands.
• *****.
• (SLOW COOKER or CROCK-POT).
• Choose a smaller spaghetti squash (unless you have an extra large slow cooker) so that it will fit.
• Add 2 cups of water to slow cooker.
• Pierce the whole shell several times with a large fork or skewer, add to Crock Pot, cover and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours.
• Once the squash is cooked, let it cool for 10 to 20 minutes so it will be easier to handle, before cutting in half (if it wasn't already) and removing the seeds. Pull a fork lengthwise through the flesh to separate it into long strands, (See photos.).
• You can do these steps ahead of time, then prepare any of the spaghetti squash recipes whenever the mood strikes.
• BUYING & STORING.
• When buying spaghetti squash, look for hard fruit that is heavy for its size, about eight to nine inches in length and four to five inches in diameter and with a pale even color. Avoid any squash with soft spots and green color is a sign of immaturity. The average four-pound spaghetti squash will yield about five cups.
• Spaghetti Squash can be stored at room temperature for about a month. After cutting, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 2 days. Spaghetti squash also freezes well. Pack cooked squash into freezer bags, seal, label and freeze. Partially thaw before re-using, then steam until tender but still firm, about 5 minutes.

HOW TO COOK A SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Steps:

• Wash the squash and leave it wet. Microwave it for 5 minutes to help soften the skin (it's still really hard).
• Cut squash lengthwise and remove seeds.
• To Microwave: put squash halves cut side down in baking dish in 1/4 cup of water covered with plastic. Nuke it for 7-10 minutes.
• To Bake: put squash halves cut side down in baking dish in 1/4 cup of water and bake for 45 minutes covered with foil. Don't let the water cook away. Check it and add more if needed.
• After it's cooled slightly, scrape out the veggie strands with a fork and season with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic and parmesan cheese or proceed with another spaghetti squash recipe.

CAMPFIRE FOIL BAKED SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Steps:

• Poke holes in squash with knife or tines of fork on the top and sides to make steam vents.
• Wrap squash in heavy duty foil. Make the fold on the top. Turn the squash over on top of another piece of foil. Bring up the edges and make another fold. There will be a fold on top and bottom.
• Place on a grate on the campfire over coals if possible.
• Turn the squash from time to time.
• Cook about 20 minutes. Take off the grate. Let set 10 minutes.
• Carefully unwrap. Cut down the middle lengthwise. Take out seeds. Take a fork and scrape and loosen the squash from both halves. Place in pie plates so the squash doesn't tip over.
• Season with salt and pepper and margarine or Butter Buds.
• Serve with tomato sauce if desired.