Steaming Spaghetti Squash: A Quick, Easy, Healthy Option?

Spaghetti squash is a versatile vegetable that can be cooked in a variety of ways, including baking, steaming, and boiling. While it is possible to cook spaghetti squash in a steamer, one source recommends cutting the squash into pieces and boiling them in water or broth for 15-20 minutes until tender. Another source provides instructions on how to steam spaghetti squash, which involves cutting the squash in half, removing the seeds, and steaming the pieces for 20 minutes or until tender.

How to cut spaghetti squash

Spaghetti squash has a tough, armour-like skin, so it can be difficult to cut. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cut it safely and efficiently:

Firstly, use a sharp knife to make several small slits in the skin of the spaghetti squash. Make these slits along the line where you plan to slice the squash in half. This will make it easier to cut the squash and also allows steam to escape if you are planning to microwave it.

If the squash is still too hard to cut, you can try softening it by cooking it slightly first. There are a few different methods you can use:

• Place the whole squash in the oven and bake it until it is tender enough to slice.
• Prick the squash all over with a fork and roast it at 400°F for 10 minutes, or until it is soft enough to cut in half.
• Microwave the squash for 5-6 minutes and then let it cool slightly before slicing.
• Microwave the squash in 1-minute bursts until it is soft enough to cut.

Once you have made the slits in the skin, place the squash on a cutting board with the flattest surface facing down. Cut the squash in half along the line of slits you made. Cut off the stem first, as it is too tough to cut through.

The squash will be hot, so use a towel or oven mitt to hold it while you scrape out the seeds. You can roast the seeds for a snack if you like.

Finally, place the squash halves cut-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil and bake at 350-400°F for 30-45 minutes, until the outer skin is softened.

How to cook spaghetti squash in the oven

Yes, spaghetti squash can be cooked in a steamer, but it is generally agreed that roasting it in the oven is the best way to cook it. Here's how to do it:

First, preheat your oven to 375-400°F.

Next, you'll need to cut your spaghetti squash in half lengthwise. Spaghetti squash has a hard shell, so be careful! One trick is to place a towel underneath the squash, with half sitting under your hand to hold it in place while you cut. Pierce the middle of the squash with a sharp, heavy chef's knife and cut from stem to end, but don't try to cut through the stem as it's too tough. Wiggle the knife out, then pull each half apart.

Now that you have two halves, scoop out the seeds with a spoon (you can roast these like pumpkin seeds if you like).

Then, lightly drizzle the insides of the squash with olive oil or melted butter, and season with salt and pepper. You can also add fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme at this stage.

Place the squash halves cut-side down on a rimmed baking sheet. This ensures that any excess moisture will drop away from the squash. If you bake it cut-side up, the liquid will pool in the middle.

Roast the squash for 35-50 minutes, or until it is lightly browned on the outside and easily pierced with a fork. The time will vary depending on the size of your squash, so keep an eye on it!

Once it's done, remove the squash from the oven and flip the halves so they are cut-side up. Allow to cool for about 5 minutes, then use a fork to scrape and separate the strands of squash from the skin.

And that's it! You can now season with more salt and pepper, or add your favourite sauce or toppings. Enjoy!

How to cook spaghetti squash in the microwave

Yes, spaghetti squash can be cooked in a steamer, but it is not the best way to cook it. Roasting it in the oven is the best method, but if you are short on time, you can cook it in the microwave. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook spaghetti squash in the microwave:

Step 1: Start by cutting your spaghetti squash in half lengthwise. It has a very tough skin, so you may need to poke it with a fork a few times and microwave it for 3-5 minutes to soften it before cutting.

Step 2: Use a large, sharp knife and cut through the tough skin, slicing the spaghetti squash tip to tip lengthwise.

Step 3: Scrape out the seeds and stringy bits. You can discard the seeds, or cook and eat them as you would roasted pumpkin seeds.

Step 4: Place the squash halves cut-side down in a microwave-safe baking dish. Pour about 1 inch of water into the dish. This amount of water is important; too much water will make your squash mushy and your "spaghetti" strands short.

Step 5: Microwave on high for 5 minutes. Check if the squash is starting to soften. If needed, microwave for another 2-minute interval.

Step 6: Carefully flip the squash halves so they are cut-side up. Let them cool for about 5 minutes before gently scraping and separating the spaghetti-like strands using a fork.

Step 7: Season with butter, salt, and pepper, or your favorite herbs and spices.

Microwaving spaghetti squash is a great option if you're short on time, but remember to be careful when handling the hot dish and squash. Enjoy your delicious and healthy meal!

How to cook spaghetti squash in an instant pot

Ingredients:

• 1 small-medium (~2-4 lbs) spaghetti squash
• 1 cup (240 ml) water

Utensils:

• Instant Pot
• Trivet or steamer basket
• Sharp knife
• Ice cream scoop or sharp spoon
• Fork

Method:

• Choose a squash that will fit in your Instant Pot. For a 6-quart Instant Pot, make sure the squash is not longer than 8 inches (20 cm).
• Halve the spaghetti squash lengthwise using a sharp knife.
• Use an ice cream scoop (or sharp spoon) to scrape out the seeds and most of the stringy parts from the centre.
• Place a trivet or steamer basket in the bottom of the Instant Pot and add a cup of water.
• Put the halved and deseeded spaghetti squash on the trivet, facing up so that both halves fit.
• Seal the Instant Pot with the lid.
• Press "PRESSURE COOK" and adjust to a high setting, then set the timer for 7-8 minutes.
• Allow the Instant Pot to pressurise (this takes around 5-10 minutes).
• Once the timer goes off, carefully release the pressure by turning the steam release valve to "Venting".
• When the floating valve in the lid drops, it's safe to remove the lid.
• Use a fork to check the squash is tender but not mushy. If there is water in the centre, drain it before serving.
• Use a fork to separate the cooked strands into spaghetti-like pieces and remove them from the hard shell.

Tips:

• For longer "spaghetti" strands, cut the shell the other way, crosswise.
• If your squash is larger, you may need to add an extra 3 minutes to the cook time.
• If your squash is still a little crunchy, place it back in the Instant Pot on "Keep Warm", cover with the lid, and allow it to steam for 5-15 minutes or until tender.
• You can also cook a whole spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot. Simply pierce the squash with a knife to vent, and then place it on the trivet with a cup of water in the pot. Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes for a 3-pound squash.

How to serve spaghetti squash

Spaghetti squash is a versatile vegetable that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some tips on how to prepare and serve delicious spaghetti squash:

Preparing the Squash:

• Use a sharp knife to cut the squash in half lengthwise. Be careful, as the shell can be hard to cut through. You can soften the squash by roasting it whole, pricking it with a fork, and baking it at 400°F for about 10 minutes, or until it's soft enough to slice. Alternatively, you can prick it and microwave in 1-minute bursts until it's manageable.
• Once the squash is halved, use a spoon to scoop out the seeds.
• Drizzle the insides lightly with olive oil, melted butter, or a combination of both. You can also add a small amount of extra virgin olive oil and vegan butter. This will help the squash brown nicely and add flavour.
• Season the squash with salt and pepper. You can also add onion powder, garlic powder, or other seasonings of your choice. Be generous with the seasoning, as spaghetti squash has a mild flavour and benefits from a boost.
• Poke a few holes in the skin of the squash with a fork.

Cooking the Squash:

• Place the squash cut-side down on a baking sheet. You can also place it cut-side up, but this may result in liquid pooling in the middle.
• Roast in the oven at 375-400°F for 30-50 minutes, or until the squash is tender. The cooking time will depend on the size of your squash, so adjust accordingly.
• Alternatively, you can cook the squash in a microwave. Place the halves cut-side down in a microwave-safe dish with about an inch of water. Microwave for 5 minutes, then cook in 2-minute intervals until fork-tender.
• Once the squash is cooked, remove it from the oven or microwave and let it cool.

Serving the Squash:

• Use a fork to scrape the strands of squash from the skin. Start from the outside and work your way in, fluffing the strands as you go.
• Season the squash with additional salt and pepper, if desired.
• Serve the squash as a simple vegetable side dish. You can pair it with a salad or another vegetable, such as broccoli.
• For a pasta-like dish, toss the squash with butter, olive oil, and/or marinara or Alfredo sauce. You can also add protein, such as grilled chicken, meatballs, or sausage.
• For a low-carb option, use the squash as a substitute for pasta in recipes such as stir-fries, casseroles, or pizza crust.
• Get creative with your toppings and mix-ins. Try adding Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme, or a combination of cheeses like mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan, and fontina.
• If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They can be reheated or enjoyed cold.

Frequently asked questions