Steaming Spaghetti Squash: A Quick, Tasty Treat

Spaghetti squash is a versatile, low-carb vegetable that can be used as a pasta or rice substitute. It has a mild flavour and its flesh, once cooked, shreds into spaghetti-like strands. There are several ways to cook spaghetti squash, including roasting it in the oven, or cooking it in the microwave or air fryer. This paragraph will focus on how to cook spaghetti squash in a steam oven.

How to cook spaghetti squash in a steam oven:

How to cut spaghetti squash

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

Firstly, using a sharp knife, make a few small slits in the skin of the spaghetti squash. You can do this in a dotted line along where you plan to slice the squash in half. This will help to soften the skin and make it easier to cut through.

Next, place the squash in the microwave for around 5 minutes to further soften it. This step is optional, but it will make the squash easier to cut and handle. If you don't have a microwave, you can also prick the squash all over with a fork and bake it in the oven at 400°F for about 10 minutes, or until it is soft enough to slice.

Now, you can begin to cut the squash. Place the squash on a cutting board with the most flat surface down. Slice along the dotted line you made earlier, cutting the squash in half. Cut off the stem first to make this step easier.

Use a spoon to scoop out and discard the seeds. Alternatively, you can roast them for a tasty snack!

At this point, you can rub the cut surfaces with a drizzle of olive oil and season with salt and pepper, if desired. This will add flavour to the squash and help to prevent it from sticking to the baking sheet.

Finally, place the squash cut-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. It is now ready to be baked in the oven!

How to roast spaghetti squash

Ingredients:

• 1 medium spaghetti squash (about 2 1/2 to 3 pounds)
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil or melted butter
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh herbs (optional) – rosemary and thyme work well

Utensils:

• Sharp knife
• Roasting pan or 9x13-inch baking dish
• Aluminum foil (optional)
• Fork

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 400°F.
• Place a rack in the middle of the oven.
• Using a sharp knife, cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise. Be very careful, as spaghetti squash has a tough shell. One way to stabilise the squash is to place a towel underneath it, with half of the towel bunched up underneath the squash to stop it from rolling, and the other half underneath your hand to hold it in place.
• Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and stringy bits of flesh from inside the squash. Be careful not to dig into the flesh, as you will need that! The inside should look clean and fairly smooth. You can roast the seeds like pumpkin seeds if you like.
• Place the squash halves cut-side down in a roasting pan or baking dish.
• Pour a little water into the pan, enough to cover the bottom. This is optional, but it helps the squash to steam and become more tender. You can also cover the pan with aluminium foil if you prefer.
• Roast the squash for 30 to 40 minutes. Smaller squash will cook more quickly than larger squash, so check the squash after 30 minutes to gauge cooking.
• The squash is done when it is tender and can be easily pierced with a fork through the flesh to the peel. The flesh will also separate easily into spaghetti-like strands. If you want the squash to be more al dente, cook for less time. For softer noodles, cook for longer.
• Flip the squash so that it is cut-side up.
• When the squash is cool enough to touch, use a fork to gently pull the squash flesh from the peel and to separate the flesh into strands. The strands wrap around the squash horizontally, so rake your fork in the same direction as the strands to make the longest "noodles".
• Season the squash with salt and pepper, and serve.

Tips:

• If your squash is too hard to cut, you can soften it slightly in the oven or microwave before slicing it in half.
• If you want to add flavour to your squash, you can rub the inside of the halves with olive oil or melted butter, and season with salt and pepper, before roasting.
• You can also add fresh herbs for extra flavour. Place them underneath the squash halves before roasting.
• If you don't have an oven, you can also cook spaghetti squash in the microwave or air fryer.

How to steam spaghetti squash

Ingredients

• 1 medium spaghetti squash (about 2 to 3 pounds)
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Fresh herbs (optional)

Utensils

• Sharp knife
• Spoon
• Baking sheet
• Fork
• Oven

Method

• Preheat your oven to 400°F.
• Use a sharp knife to cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise. Be very careful as spaghetti squash has a tough shell. You can wrap a towel around the squash to keep it steady while you cut.
• Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and discard them.
• Drizzle the inside of the squash halves with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. You can also add some fresh herbs at this stage for extra flavour.
• Place the squash halves cut-side down on a baking sheet. Adding a little water to the pan is optional but can help to create more steam and make the squash more tender.
• Roast the squash in the oven for 30 to 45 minutes. The squash is done when it is tender and can be easily pierced with a fork.
• Remove the squash from the oven and flip the halves so they are cut-side up. Allow to cool for a few minutes.
• Use a fork to gently pull the spaghetti-like strands of squash away from the peel.
• Serve immediately, with a little butter or olive oil if desired.

How to prepare spaghetti squash for cooking

Preparing spaghetti squash for cooking is simple, but it does require a sharp knife and a steady hand. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Soften the Squash (if necessary)

If your squash is very hard, you may need to soften it slightly before cutting. You can do this by pricking the squash all over with a fork and either baking it at 400°F for about 10 minutes or microwaving it in one-minute bursts until it is soft enough to cut through.

Step 2: Cut the Squash in Half

Use a sharp knife to cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise. Place the squash horizontally on a cutting board and hold it firmly in place with your non-dominant hand. Cut off the very top and bottom edges, then turn the squash upright and slice through it from top to bottom. Be very careful when handling the knife and keep your hands away from the cutting zone.

Step 3: Scoop Out the Seeds

Once your squash is halved, use a spoon to scoop out and discard the seeds. You can choose to roast the seeds separately if you like.

Step 4: Season the Squash

Lightly drizzle or brush the insides of the squash with olive oil, melted butter, or another oil of your choice. Be careful not to add too much, as this can make the squash watery. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and other seasonings of your choice. You can also add fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme at this stage.

Step 5: Poke Holes and Place Cut-Side Down

Use a fork to poke several holes in the skin of the squash. This will help the steam escape and ensure even cooking. Place the squash halves cut-side down on a baking sheet or in a microwave-safe dish.

Your spaghetti squash is now ready to be cooked according to your preferred method!

How to serve spaghetti squash

There are many ways to serve spaghetti squash. Here are some ideas:

Simple Seasoning

You can keep it simple and serve your squash as a side, tossed in some butter and seasoned with salt and pepper. It can pair with just about anything.

With Sauce

If you'd like to go the pasta route, heat up some marinara or Alfredo sauce and spoon it right on top.

With Protein

You can also add protein, like chicken, shrimp, or ground beef.

As a Base

You can use the cooked squash in your favourite spaghetti squash recipes, such as spaghetti squash with chickpeas and kale, or lemon pesto spaghetti squash.

With Cheese

For a cheesy option, try four-cheese spaghetti squash with mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan, and fontina. Or, for something more like pizza, make spaghetti squash pizza nests with simple pizza ingredients like olives, bell peppers, and sausage.

In a Casserole

Try spinach and artichoke squash casserole, serving everyone's favourite party appetiser—spinach and artichoke dip—in a hollowed spaghetti squash for a sophisticated first course.

With Pesto

For a colourful and healthy dish, steamed spaghetti squash pairs well with a bold and flavourful vegan or vegetarian pesto.

Frequently asked questions