How to Cook Whole Spaghetti Squash (2024)

FAQs

Can you eat a whole spaghetti squash? ›

Cutting a spaghetti squash can be hazardous because the shell is so hard. For that reason, some people roast them whole in the oven. You can also cook a whole spaghetti squash in a pressure cooker or a slow cooker with a little water.

How long does raw spaghetti squash last? I like to purchase a few spaghetti squashes at a time because they keep very well for an extended period of time. Whole raw spaghetti squash can be stored for up to two months in a cool (55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit), dry location such as the pantry.

The spaghetti squash should look lemon-yellow. It's perfectly fine if there are varying colors of yellow, but you don't want it to be green or white or have soft spots. It should feel heavy for its size. Avoid any bruises or a cracked stem.

They look like mini butternut squash and are particularly sweet. Honeynut squash are especially delicious roasted with a little cinnamon and butter. The only winter squash skin to avoid eating altogether, even if well cooked, is spaghetti squash because of its thick, eggshell-like quality.

Don't Overcook!

You know spaghetti squash is done when the flesh of the squash is fork-tender inside, the outsides are turning golden, and when you press on the outside of the squash, it gives a little. If you overcook the squash, it will be mushy.

Spaghetti squash can be tough to cut raw. The outside is hard and the raw flesh can be a bit of a challenge to work through. To safely cut into a squash (spaghetti or another kind), you need to make sure you have a nice sharp knife and a flat, stable work surface to cut on.

To soften spaghetti squash for cutting, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pierce the squash several times with a fork, then microwave it for about 4-5 minutes to soften the skin. Alternatively, place the whole squash in the oven for 10-15 minutes. This makes cutting easier.

If you're like me, you probably load up on spaghetti squash when it's in season at the farmers market or on sale at the store. It's easy to buy too many, but we have good news: Not only can you freeze spaghetti squash, it's also an easy way to prep spaghetti squash recipes.

Spaghetti squash is a winter vegetable rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Due to its low calorie content and high fiber content, it may aid weight loss and digestive health. Try roasted spaghetti squash as a low carb alternative to pasta, combined with veggies, protein, whole grains, and healthy fats.

The ideal storage space for whole, raw squash is a dark, cool area such as a cabinet, pantry, or closet. If you can keep the storage area between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit (13 and 16 degrees Celsius), then it may last as long as 3 months without going bad.

Can you eat spaghetti squash guts? ›

"The entire squash is an edible vegetable.

While you can eat them 'young', the more traditional way of eating spaghetti squash is to wait until they are fully grown and that's when their flesh provides stringy noodle-like strands once cooked, similar to short-cut spaghetti.

The fact is that the answer depends on spaghetti squash ripeness, or how mature the squash is. If the squash is green and soft, it is more likely to rot than ripen off the vine. If, however, there are hints of yellow and the squash appears to be full-sized and sounds solid when thumped, I would go ahead and try it.

All squash skin is edible. However, in the same way you wouldn't eat a banana peel, edible doesn't necessarily mean you want to eat it. Some squash has thin skin that's tasty and tender, while others have a tough shell that even cooked is chewy and stringy.

“It's definitely OK to eat squash skin,” Rayna Joyce, vegetable production manager at Bread and Butter Farm in Shelburne, Vermont, told me. “Some (winter) squash have really delicate skins and they become tender when cooked. You can bake them and eat the whole thing.”

Per serving: (Squash only—Pasta Sauce not included): Calories: 42, Total Fat: 0.4 g, Saturated Fat: 0 g, Carbohydrates: 10 g, Fiber: 2.2 g, Sodium: 28 mg *Note: A 2-lb squash yields about four half-cup servings.