Spaghetti squash

The spaghetti squash ("Cucurbita pepo") (also called vegetable spaghetti, noodle squash, Spaghetti Marrow (in the UK) , squaghetti or Sharkfin Melon 鱼翅瓜 to Chinese) is an oblong seed-bearing variety of winter squash. The fruit can range either from ivory to yellow or orange in color or green with white streaks. Its center contains many large squash seeds. Its flesh is bright yellow or orange or white for the latter variety. When raw, the flesh is solid and similar to other raw squash; when cooked, the flesh falls away from the fruit in ribbons or strands like spaghetti or shark's fin (when cooked in a soup form). Spaghetti squash can be baked, boiled or steamed, and served with sauce as for pasta, or used as a vegetable base for macaroni and cheese. Spaghetti squash contains many nutrients including folic acid, potassium, vitamin A, and beta carotene. It is also a food low in calories, averaging 75 calories in 8 cooked ounces. It is a Chinese native vegetable.

Cooking spaghetti squash

Spaghetti squash is easily cooked in a oven, in a microwave, on a stove, or in a slow cooker. [ [http://www.fabulousfoods.com/features/featuring/spagsquash.html All About Spaghetti Squash, How to Buy It, Cook It and Lots of Recipes ] ]

Bake in Oven

* Pierce the whole shell several times with a large fork or skewer and place in baking dish
* Cook squash in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for approximately 1 hour or until flesh is tender

Microwave

* Cut the squash in half, lengthwise
* remove the seeds
* Place squash with the open side up in a microwave dish using 1/4 cup of water
* Cover with plastic wrap and cook on high for 10 to 12 minutes, depending on size of squash

= Stove (Boil) =

* 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

Slow cooker (Crock pot)

* Place the spaghetti squash in the slow cooker and add 2 cups of water
* Pierce the whole shell several times with a large fork or skewer
* Cover
* Cook on low for 8 to 9 hours

Preparation

Stand squash covered for 5 minutes and, using a fork, comb out the strands.

Cultivation

Spaghetti squash are relatively easy to grow, thriving in gardens or in containers. [ [http://www.allwoodwork.com/article/gardening/spaghetti_squash_a_vegetable_with_a_suprise_inside.html Spaghetti squash: a vegetable with a surprise inside] ]

The plants are monoecious, with male and female flowers on the same plant. [ [http://the1zenith.blogspot.com/2008/06/short-essay-on-spaghetti-squash.html A Short Essay on Spaghetti Squash] ] Male flowers have long, thin stems that extend upwards from the vine. Female flowers are shorter, with a small round growth underneath the petals. This round growth turns into the squash if the flower is successfully pollinated.

References

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