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Spaghetti squash, often dubbed "nature's pasta," has been taking the food world by storm recently. With its unique ability to mimic long, thin pasta, it offers a tasty but low-carb alternative to traditional spaghetti. But that isn't all this gorgeous gourd can do.
Let me show you how easy it is to prepare and the best way to do it. We will look at the health benefits of spaghetti squash and explore wonderful ways to utilize it. I'll guide you step-by-step as you learn the best way to roast it.
Spaghetti squash isn't just a culinary sensation; it's also a nutritional powerhouse. One key health benefit that makes it a standout addition to your diet is its low-calorie content. With significantly fewer calories than traditional pasta, it's a dieter's dream. One cup of cooked spaghetti squash contains just 42 calories, compared to the roughly 200 calories in a cup of cooked spaghetti pasta.
When it comes to preparing spaghetti squash for roasting, there's no definitive right or wrong way. However, if your goal is to replicate the long, pasta-like strands that give this squash its name, there's one key guideline to follow: slice it in half horizontally.
Why is this particular cutting method recommended? It preserves the natural orientation of the squash's fibers. By cutting horizontally around the middle, you ensure that the strands maintain their inherent structure. So while there may be no absolute wrong way to cut spaghetti squash, there is an ideal method for achieving those delightful, spaghetti-like strands that we all love.
With your squash cut, use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and guts from the center of each half. Next, rub the flesh of the cut sides of the squash with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Finally, place them cut side down on a parchment-lined sheet tray or baking dish and pop them into a preheated oven.
Once you've roasted the spaghetti squash, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. When it's just cool enough to handle, take a fork and gently start scraping the flesh inside of each half. As you do so, you'll witness the transformation of the squash, effortlessly separating into long, noodle-like threads.