I LOVE pasta. It’s a problem when I’m trying to shed a few of these extra pounds that crept up over the holidays.
Spaghetti Squash is the perfect stand-in for those days when I really want a bowl of pasta. I can still enjoy all the flavor and goodness of a pasta dish without the guilt factor.
The other day I went to Costco to do a major stock-up shopping trip. I was so excited to see these large, beautiful spaghetti squash being sold in a two pack. They were so cheap I had to get them!
Confession: I have bought spaghetti squash many times and I always throw it away after it sat on my counter long enough to start to blend in as a decorative item and not a food item. I don’t know why, I’m always just so put off by having to deal with cooking the darn thing. In the past I have only enjoyed spaghetti squash when my mom has cooked it.
Not this time. I had to cook it mostly because the Princesses P were extremely interested that there was spaghetti inside this melon-looking thing. I had to seize the opportunity for them to try something new, healthy and delish on their terms.
So I did it. I roasted that darn squash and it was worth every second. (it really wasn’t hard to do).
How to Roast a Spaghetti Squash:
- Carefully cut the squash in half lengthwise. This shouldn’t be difficult if you have a sharp knife that is long. I think the knife I used is called a chef’s knife or a utility knife.
- Remove the seeds from the inside of the squash, very much the same way you remove pumpkin seeds.
- Drizzle the spaghetti squash with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Place the spaghetti squash on a baking sheet, skin side up.
- Roast at 375 degrees for an hour.
- Remove from the oven and let cool until you can safely handle the squash.
- Scrape all the “spaghetti” out of both halves of the squash.
I immediately enjoyed a bowl of the spaghetti squash with Princess P…and she LOVED it! Yay…so excited when the girls try something new and like it!
Do you have any suggestions on how to serve spaghetti squash other than with marinara sauce? Since I have another one, thanks to Costco, I will need to switch it up a bit.
Tootles,
My son is the pickiest eater.. spaghetti… hot dogs and ketchup… chicken and fries… however he only will eat yellow cake.. yellow cookies.. yellow everything.. I made spaghetti squash one day and told him it was yellow spaghetti.. he is 3 1/2 years old and ate half a squash by himself!
Katy that is so funny! Kids are so silly about food. I was amazed when the Princesses P loved the spaghetti squash. Good luck finding more yellow foods that your little boy will love!