What do I do now?
Today Shirley brought in an abundance of spaghetti squash from her garden. She must have had some garden since its March in NH. I love spaghetti squash. I find it very versatile. Thank you Shirley.
Everyone took a squash home. I thought a few of you might like to know what to do with it now.
If you are unsure how to cook it, Check out the three ways to cook squash. I usually use method 2 as I find it the easiest. You can cook other squash or dinner meals alongside your squash to make it a win win.
Coach Dean would put a little butter, salt, and pepper on the his dish. He loves it as is. I grew up in a casserole home so old habits tend to creep back into my meal planning. Here are a few of my favorites.
Spaghetti Squash Pizza Pie
- 1 spaghetti squash, large
- 1 ground turkey or pork sausage
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 1 cup pizza sauce (no sugar added)
- 1 tsp. dried basil
- salt and pepper , to taste
- 3 egg
Cooking Instructions
Pre heat oven to 375°. Place spaghetti squash cut side down on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until a fork easier goes into it. Then reduce oven heat to 350°.
While squash is cooking, place a skillet over medium heat. Add sausage, onion, and peppers. Cook until meat is no longer pink and veggies are soft.
Once squash is done cooking, remove the seeds and shred. Place into a greased 9x13 glass baking dish. Add sausage and vegetable mixture to squash and combine. Add pizza sauce, dried basil, and salt and pepper to the baking dish and mix well. Last add whisked eggs to the baking dish and mix thoroughly.
Bake for 1 hour.
Pork Fried Rice Using Spaghetti Squash
- 1 spaghetti squash- cooked and dethreaded
- 1 pound pork shoulder, - dice, sautéed/fried up quickly in a frying pan with a few pinches sea salt, OR diced ham
- 1 bunch green onions' greens sliced;
- 2 egg, scrambled (set aside) them ahead time, with a little sea salt, in sesame oil, breaking them into small pieces as they cook
- ¼ cup sesame oil
- 2 Tablespoons coconut amino acids
- 1 tablespoon ginger, freshly grated
- 1 clove garlic, crushed or minced
- ¾ teaspoon salt
Cooking Instructions
Take the squash's "noodles". Cut the strands close together so you "rice" the squash, having lots of short pieces. Continue until the entire squash is "riced."
Heat 2 Tablespoons sesame oil in large skillet. Add the pork, green onions and ginger and sauté over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Top with spaghetti squash, sea salt (sprinkle it evenly over the squash) and garlic. Reduce heat to medium. Fry the squash without stirring for 5 minutes.
Add remaining oil near the center of the pan and flip sections of the squash, using an offset metal spatula. Fry again for 5 minutes.
Flip the squash again, if needed, to evenly brown. Fold in scrambled egg that was set aside. Turn off heat.
Garnish with coconut amino acids, sprinkling and stirring slightly. Serve. Optional: garnish with green onions and siracha sauce
I added sliced carrots and saute’d them with the pork. I also used a red onion and saute’d them along with the pork.
Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash
- 1 spaghetti squash
- 3-4 green onions
- 1 pound chicken breast (cut into bite size)
- 1 tbsp. coconut oil
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 2 carrot, shredded
- 1 cup cabbage, shredded
- 1 cup buffalo sauce
Cooking Instructions
Poke your spaghetti a few times with a knife and microwave for 10-15 minutes or until tender.
In the meantime, cut up you chicken and toss in garlic powder and onion. Next slice the green onions. Slice the white part of the green onions and reserve the green tips for garnish.
Heat oil in a skillet or pot then add chicken and green onions. Cook until through (5-6 minutes)
Remove spaghetti squash from the microwave. Once it is cool enough to handle, slice in half, discard seeds, and fluff the spaghetti squash with a fork to get loose strands. Add squash to skillet and mix. Add buffalo sauce, cabbage and carrots. Toss to combine. Serve and sprinkle green onion tips.
And one more although I could list a few more.....
Coconut Shrimp Spaghetti Squash
- 1 spaghetti squash
- 1 1/2 pound shrimp, cooked
- 2 head broccoli, chopped
- 2 tbsp. coconut oil
- 1 can coconut milk
- ¼ cup melted ghee
- 2-3 tbsp. garlic powder
- 2 tbsp. fresh rosemary (2 tsp. dried)
- 2 tbsp. fresh parsley (2 tsp. dried)
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. pepper
Cooking Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut spaghetti squash in half and place cut side down on a baking sheet. Bake for 45-55 minutes. Remove spaghetti squash from oven and turn oven down to 350 degrees. With a fork, scrape spaghetti squash into casserole dish. In a saucepan, mix all other ingredients except cooked shrimp and broccoli.
Heat to a boil, and then add broccoli and cooked shrimp. Cook on low stirring occasionally for 5-7 minutes. Place the mixture on top of the spaghetti squash and mix well. Bake for 30 minutes.
I can't leave well enough alone. If you haven't tried Chicken Bacon Alfredo...... you just haven't had spaghetti squash done well. Give it a try and let me know if it doesn't become a favorite.
Enjoy Good Food,
Coach Nancy
If you need more convincing Coach Dean sent me all this information on the goodness of Spaghetti Squash in your diet.
Spaghetti squash, a popular winter squash variety, is not only a delicious addition to meals but also packs a powerful punch of nutrients. Its unique stringy texture when cooked resembles spaghetti, making it a versatile and healthy alternative to traditional pasta. Beyond its culinary versatility, spaghetti squash offers an array of health benefits that make it a standout ingredient in any diet.
Nutrient Profile: Spaghetti squash is low in calories and carbohydrates, making it an excellent choice for those watching their weight or managing blood sugar levels. Despite its low-calorie content, it is rich in essential nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and B vitamins like folate, as well as minerals like potassium, manganese, and magnesium. Additionally, it contains small amounts of fiber and protein, contributing to a well-rounded nutritional profile.
Weight Management: One of the most notable health benefits of spaghetti squash is its ability to support weight management. With its low-calorie and low-carbohydrate content, it can be enjoyed as a satisfying alternative to higher calorie and carb-rich foods like pasta. Its high fiber content also aids in promoting feelings of fullness, reducing overall calorie intake, and supporting healthy digestion.
Heart Health: The nutrients found in spaghetti squash, particularly potassium and vitamin C, play a crucial role in promoting heart health. Potassium helps regulate blood pressure by counteracting the effects of sodium, thus lowering the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Meanwhile, vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, protecting the heart from oxidative stress and inflammation.
Improved Digestion: The fiber content in spaghetti squash supports digestive health by promoting regularity and preventing constipation. Adequate fiber intake is essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system and may reduce the risk of digestive disorders such as diverticulitis and hemorrhoids. Including spaghetti squash in your diet can help meet your daily fiber needs and keep your digestive system running smoothly.
Antioxidant Properties: Spaghetti squash contains various antioxidants, including vitamin C, beta-carotene, and other carotenoids, which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. These antioxidants play a vital role in reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and inflammatory conditions. Incorporating spaghetti squash into your meals provides a delicious way to boost your antioxidant intake and support overall health.
Blood Sugar Regulation: Due to its low glycemic index and carbohydrate content, spaghetti squash is an excellent choice for individuals looking to manage their blood sugar levels. Unlike high-glycemic foods that cause rapid spikes and crashes in blood sugar, spaghetti squash provides a steady release of energy, promoting stable blood sugar levels. This makes it particularly beneficial for individuals with diabetes or insulin resistance.
Versatility in Cooking: One of the greatest advantages of spaghetti squash is its versatility in the kitchen. It can be roasted, boiled, steamed, or microwaved and served with a variety of toppings, sauces, or seasonings. Whether used as a base for marinara sauce, tossed with pesto, or mixed with vegetables and protein, spaghetti squash offers endless possibilities for creating nutritious and flavorful meals.
Spaghetti squash is delicious and a satisfying addition to meals while also offering a wide range of health benefits. From supporting weight management and heart health to promoting digestion and providing antioxidant protection, spaghetti squash deserves a place on your plate. With its versatility and nutrient-packed profile, it's time to embrace the goodness of spaghetti squash and enjoy its many health benefits with every bite.
