I've recently gotten into making primal/paleo cooking, i.e. (no grains,legumes,processed foods) and have been meaning to try spaghetti w/meat sauce with spaghetti squash noodles instead of regular pasta. Is there a particular method of cooking the squash that helps form better noodles than others? Any other methods to help the 'pasta' come out more pasta-like?
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3May I ask why? There's a reason primitive man died at 25.– Chris CudmoreCommented Sep 23, 2010 at 19:12
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3@chris: I doubt that diet was that reason; among other factors, I'd consider the [lack of] sanitation or medical care to be some of the primary determinants of typical lifespan.– AaronutCommented Sep 23, 2010 at 19:56
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2That said, I don't think we need two additional tags for a specific named diet. The "paleo" diet is basically a low-carb diet and I think that will suffice.– AaronutCommented Sep 23, 2010 at 20:04
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2Paleo is not just low carb, it's also a pro-organic and anti-processed food diet.– Zachary WrightCommented Nov 3, 2010 at 18:26
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@chris Paleolithic humans had a life expectancy of 33 years at birth; life expectancy went up to 54 years if they made it to age 15. Neolithic man had a life expectancy of 20 years (this was after the agricultural revolution when diets changed). Current life expectancy is 67 years.– jessecurryCommented Jul 11, 2012 at 21:03
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2 Answers
Split the squash in half lengthwise, drizzle with olive oil, and place face-down on a foil-covered baking sheet. I usually roast for 45 min to an hour, depending on the size of the squash. The inside 'noodles' can then be scooped out with a fork for an awesome pasta substitution. Enjoy!
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Yep, that's generally how I've done this as well. I don't really think of it as a pasta replacement though, just some stringy stuff that tastes pretty good. Like all winter squash, it enjoys brown butter as well. Commented Sep 23, 2010 at 22:42
You can also make it in the microwave. Either split first, remove the seeds and stringy goop, and place face-down on a microwave-safe plate or just prick it with a fork and cook it. Time will depend on size, but cook it until it's nice and soft. Then just use a fork to scrape out the flesh. The flesh will automatically come out in strings.
You can also bake it whole -- which means that you'll have to scrape out the seeds after it's cooked. Again, make sure to prick it so that it doesn't split on its own.
One warning, though -- it will have a crispier texture than noodles. No matter how long you cook it, it still won't be as soft as pasta. But that texture is actually one of the attractions, for me. It's got a bit of a crunch, which is nice.
answered Sep 24, 2010 at 16:45
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This is what I do, microwave 1/2 a squash for 10 minutes. The taste and texture really is halfway between spagetti and squash.– ManakoCommented Sep 24, 2010 at 19:13