How to cook a spaghetti squash

 How to cook a spaghetti squash

 The edible pumpkins can be divided into two large groups:  the "tender" or summer squashes (such as the very delicious  zucchini or zucchini) and the so-called winter squashes  (like the one in Castilla ) that have a relatively hard  shell and are well preserved during months in a cool place.  Of the latter there are a large number of varieties, most of  which are known only in certain countries or regions and  are, in my opinion, little used.

                                    How to cook a spaghetti squash

 One of the winter squashes that I like the most is an oval  shape with a color ranging from a pale yellow to a medium  orange. They have given it the name of spaghetti squash  because its pulp, after cooking, is detached from the skin  in long strands. This unique feature makes it suitable for a  variety of uses - in addition to making it an attractive  option for children due to its "threads" appearance. It can  be used in the same way as spaghetti pasta (in the case of a  diet low in carbohydrates, for example), used as a vegetable  in soups and stews, stir-fry with other ingredients to make  a garnish, etc.

• The spaghetti squash can be baked or baked on the stove in  the microwave.
•  In all cases it is convenient to open it  first. 
• This must be done with enough care because the hard  crust of the piece does not facilitate its cutting;
•  Be careful that the knife does not slip and cause misfortune.

 Cut the pumpkin in half lengthwise with a large knife. You  will see a rough center surrounded by hard pulp, very  similar in appearance to any hard-shelled squash. Scrape  with a spoon to remove the strands and seeds from each half;  Discard the strands and, if you wish, keep the seeds (seeds)  and then toast them and eat them as a snack.


 Baked
 If you want to bake your spaghetti squash, place the halves  on a metal tray (of the cans used to make cookies) with the  surfaces cut down. Put them in the oven at 190 ° C / 375 ° F  for about 35 minutes. Take the pumpkin out of the oven and  try it: if you can easily put a fork in the pulp, that's it.  If not, return it to the oven for a little longer.

 On the stove
 Place the pumpkin halves in a large pot. (If necessary to  fit, you can cut each half in two, but it is better to keep  the larger pieces so that the strands do not come out very  small later.) Add a cup of water to the pot, cover it and  put to cook over a fire medium. Check it after about 20  minutes and if you can go through the pulp without problem  with a fork, that's it. If not, recap the pot and cook a  little more.

 In the microwave
 Place the halves of your spaghetti squash on a large spread  plate. Pour a teaspoonful of water into the cavity of each  one. Put the plate in microndas and cook the pumpkin for 6  to 8 minutes. It will be ready when you can easily put a  fork in the pulp.

 Once cooked your spaghetti squash , let it cool a bit so it  becomes more manageable.
 Working with one half at a time, scrape it over with a fork.  The pulp will come off in long strands. It retains the rough  flesh and discards the empty shell.
 Use your spaghetti squash immediately or store it in an  airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will keep  well for several days.


 How to use cooked spaghetti squash
 When cooked and scraped into strands your spaghetti squash  is ready to be used. Here are some ideas on how to:

•  .Mix the pumpkin pulp with a little butter, salt and pepper.   Serve it to accompany a roasted breast or fish
•  .Prepare a plate of spaghetti to the marinara or fettuchine    Alfredo - only with the threads of the pumpkin instead of     the flour pasta. Mix the sauce with the pumpkin and   sprinkle with a little grated cheese (Parmesan or Cotija).
•  .Add some spaghetti squash to your rajas (from poblano   chili) with cream or potatoes with slices.
•  .Prepare some scrambled eggs with a little chopped onion,   sliced ??mushrooms and a handful of spaghetti squash.
•  .Chill the squash to be used in making a salad. Mix it with   grated carrot and a good vinaigrette to enjoy it fresh.
•  .Add a bunch of spaghetti squash to your vegetable soup or   watery pasta soup to increase the nutritional quality and   add an interesting texture.
•  .Make spaghetti squash Mexican.