Super Squash Season

In case you haven’t heard its Super Squash Season!

That’s right we are in the prime time season for squash.

Previously I posted about Butternut Squash. This week I am talking about Butternut Squash’s sister in versatility Spaghetti Squash.

If you have never tried it you probably are thinking how in the world can this taste like spaghetti? But never fear, this squash has such a mild flavor that it can be paired with any type of strong sauce and complement it. Once cooked the squash can be scraped with a fork and it shreds ever so nicely into what looks like angel hair pasta.

If you are looking to find an easy to digest, low carb option to pasta this is a winner.

It is a starch so it provides the satisfaction of eating something similar to a carbohydrate without all the calories and flour. One cup of spaghetti squash yields 30 calories and 7 grams of carbohydrate while the same cup size portion of pasta yields 182 calories and 35 grams of carbohydrate. That means you can eat six cups of spaghetti squash to every cup of pasta and still not get as many carbs.

Spaghetti Squash pares well with tomato based sauces and pesto. It can be tossed in vinaigrette and served at room temperature as a side.

Served up on a platter with meatballs you will be pleasantly surprised as how satisfying it is without that heavy feeling you get after eating a lot of pasta.

I’m often amazed at how many people have never tried spaghetti squash. Most people know how to cook pasta but a lot less know how to prepare any type of squash. Spaghetti Included.

Here’s a secret. Preparing spaghetti squash is so simple.

Really, so simple.

All you need is a knife, a squash, a cookie sheet and an oven. I put mine face up on a cookie sheet but you can use aluminum foil if you don’t have any cookie sheets.

Once cooked you shred it into a bowl and add your favorite sauce. Done!

There’s a video of me below taking you through a spaghetti squash recipe from beginning to end.

I hope you pick up a spaghetti squash when you are out shopping this weekend cook it up and give it a try. Consider it a new adventure in squash.

Be Healthy, Happy and Holistic

-Dr. Purcell