how to cook a spaghetti squash

Question

There are a couple of ways to cook spaghetti squash, but oven roasting is a classic method that brings out its natural sweetness. Here's how to do it:

Answer 1

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Prepare the squash:

   • Wash the spaghetti squash.
   • If you're finding it difficult to cut through the raw squash, you can soften it slightly in the microwave or oven first. Pierce the whole squash with a fork a few times and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or bake whole in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.

3. Cut the squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and stringy flesh in the center. You can discard the seeds or roast them separately for a snack, similar to pumpkin seeds.

4. Season the squash: Drizzle the inside of each squash half with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Use a spoon or brush to coat the flesh evenly.

5. Roast the squash: Place the squash halves cut-side down on a baking sheet. Some people like to add a little water to the pan to create some steam while roasting. This is optional.

6. Bake for 40 to 60 minutes, or until the flesh is easily pierced with a fork and the cut sides are slightly golden brown. Smaller squash will cook faster than larger ones, so keep an eye on it.

7. Once cooked, remove the squash from the oven and let it cool slightly. Then, use a fork to scrape along the inside of the squash to shred the flesh into spaghetti-like strands.

8. Serve immediately with your favorite sauce, vegetables, or protein.

Here are some additional tips for cooking spaghetti squash:

• Don't overcook the squash. You want it to be tender but still have a slight bite.
• If you find your squash has a lot of watery flesh, you can try scraping out some of the inner flesh before roasting.
• You can also cook spaghetti squash in the microwave or Instant Pot, although roasting is generally considered the best way to get the most flavor.