Are people still afraid of carbs? I think they are. I am moderately intimidated by them, but I would never, ever say scared. No one, not even the good Dr. Atkins, can convince me my morning oatmeal is bad for me. I refuse to believe this, REFUSE.
But, I could probably eat a little less. Plus, I hear vegetables are good for you. Enter, the spaghetti squash.
It is pretty perfect. Eaten with some sauce, it is damn satisfying. The texture is like an al dente pasta and it serves as a great vehicle for meatballs. Food with way less guilt? I can get on board with this.
Oh, you are scared? Don’t know how to prepare this? Come to me. I will show you how. I am here for you always. It is simple, really. Here we go:
1. Stab the bejeesus out of the thing. I used a fork which took far too much effort. Next time, a knife is in order. (Also, bejeesus is short hand for 20 times.)
2. Microwave for 7 minutes. Flip over and microwave for 10 minutes. Be sure not to stand too close to microwave as you don’t want to nuke your eggs.
3. Let it cool for about 5 minutes, or if you are like me, forge ahead. Use a paper towel for a potholder as you are classy and cut in half lengthwise.
4. Scoop out seeds with a spoon. They are kind of slippery, so you may need to get in there with your hands. Don’t be shy.
5. Using a fork, or some random, yet nifty scooper thingy of your roommate’s, release the squash from it’s skin.
6. Wow! It looks like spaghetti! Put sauce on it and eat it! Marvel that you are sharing pictures of your messy kitchen counter with the internet!
6:49 am on November 10th, 2009
Funny you should mention this. I just made my famous Spaghetti Squash Casserole the other night. Spaghetti squash, red bell pepper, celery, crushed tomatoes, red pepper flakes, basil, oregano and garlic spread over two layers with mozzarella and parmesan in between and on top (like a lasagna) and baked until it’s bubbly. Deeeelish. I’ll send you the recipe if you want it. I’m really not a fan of most winter squashes, but I do love the spaghetti squash.
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7:14 am on November 10th, 2009
Okay now….don’t mess with me. Is it seriously nutritious and delicious?
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7:27 am on November 10th, 2009
i also have no patience to let things “cool.” do you also cook every on high? i, myself, know this isn’t right, but something inside of me is too impatient to do it right.
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7:34 am on November 10th, 2009
Julie and I are forever talking about spaghetti squash recipes. This is one of my favorite things to make! You feel like you’re feasting on a whole bowl of pasta! And it’s yummy and good for you and damn filling!
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7:46 am on November 10th, 2009
“Use a paper towel for a potholder as you are classy” just gave me my first snort laugh of the day.
And I live in fear of someone (or my mother) one day examining my kitchen counter pics and a) noticing that I need to bust out the Comet in a big way, and b) counting the empty wine bottles in the background and calling AA.
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7:55 am on November 10th, 2009
Um, this is brilliant. I feel like I always say that with your recipes, but really. I love this one. Print–>Click.
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7:56 am on November 10th, 2009
Is it seriously like spaggetti? Because everyone keeps telling me it is and I’m going to have to try it and if all you internet foodies tricked me, I’m not going to be very happy… But if it is like spagetti, I’ll love you, like seriously.
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8:01 am on November 10th, 2009
For the record, it IS much like spaghetti. Not as noodle-y and more al dente like she said but you can eat the whole thing and not feel ick about yourself. The unfortunate part is that because it’s so healthy, I like to smother it with a cheesy sauce. And then more cheese. And maybe some more cheese on the side. I can’t win for losing around here.
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8:03 am on November 10th, 2009
i’m a huge fan of spaghetti squash! i’m glad you are now sharing it with the masses of the interwebs.
hot nails, btw.
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8:11 am on November 10th, 2009
I have tried to get on the spaghetti squash train, but I take a bite, and it’s not spaghetti. It’s squash. I’ll stick to pasta in moderation. I’ve never been much of a squash person.
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8:28 am on November 10th, 2009
I love this post! I’ve never tried the squash-as-spaghetti bit, but now that you have made it seem so easy, I may have to put it on the menu for next week. I am a big fan of tricking myself into eating healthy foods–like using turnips/parsnips/cauliflower instead of potatoes.
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8:33 am on November 10th, 2009
This is much better than spaghetti because of the squash’s fiber and with a meat sauce, delectable.
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8:39 am on November 10th, 2009
I love the way you wrote this post.
Also – what a brilliant vegetable. I’m totally going out and buying this. TONIGHT.
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8:51 am on November 10th, 2009
I’ve never tried microwaving it, but man, does that sound easier/quicker than baking it for almost an hour. Thanks!
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9:33 am on November 10th, 2009
Love spaghetti squash, but it’s a lot easier if you cut it in half and remove the seeds prior to putting in the microwave. Put both face down on a plate and microwave it for 8 minutes and you’re done!
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11:02 am on November 10th, 2009
It looks like spaghetti but it doesn’t taste like spaghetti to me. It’s yummy on it’s own merits.
And I loved your commentary.
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11:20 am on November 10th, 2009
Love this. Bejeesus should be used more often by everyone. Also, I was thinking, who stores their eggs by the microwave, then realized what you were saying.
But by far classy…your laptop in the kitchen. How do we survive without 24/7 internet?
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11:37 am on November 10th, 2009
I want to nom your food. That sounds wicked good.
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11:38 am on November 10th, 2009
by “eggs,” i thought you meant “balls.” but then i realized you meant “eggs.” this doesn’t change that i am so afraid of nuking my balls that i imagine any warning relates to them.
but i’m a great stabber AND handy with a microwave. i think i can do this.
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12:24 pm on November 10th, 2009
Ok but now how do I get my nails to look that good? Because if I put the nail polish on and cook, it comes off in 4.5 seconds flat.
I think I’m just going to admire yours.
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12:48 pm on November 10th, 2009
I’m with marie– you nail perfect hooker. It looks good though. Can I just drown in alfredo sauce? i’m not a hug fan of marinara.
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12:57 pm on November 10th, 2009
I tried cooking this once and it was a disaster. I obviously did something wrong; I’m going to have to print out this post for a future attempt. Thanks!
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2:17 pm on November 10th, 2009
I think it is VERY comporable to pasta, but no…it is not spaghetti. It is squash, ya know?
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2:23 pm on November 10th, 2009
I hate carbs too but I love French Fries.
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2:41 pm on November 10th, 2009
I remember the first time I bought a spaghetti squash. I think it sat on my counter for a week before I gave it to someone before it spoiled. Ah, naivete.
Spaghetti squash is just so tasty with pasta sauce. And what the hell, I will gladly nuke my eggs.
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3:45 pm on November 10th, 2009
Ohhh, a good idea! I am trying to figure out if I can get away with lying to Nick and telling him it’s whole wheat pasta…
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6:11 pm on November 10th, 2009
I’ve never even freakin’ heard of spaghetti squash. Do they sell them at the normal grocery store? or do i have to become a hippy and go to the farmer’s market?
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7:00 pm on November 10th, 2009
Hmmm… it really does look like sphaghetti. Did you put red sauce on it? With meat balls?
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8:34 am on November 11th, 2009
I’m not all into “healthy”, but I am into stabbing things.
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8:53 am on November 11th, 2009
What kind of beer is that?!
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3:45 pm on November 11th, 2009
I’ve done this! and I think the sweetness of the cooked spaghetti squash works better in asian dishes, while italian tomato-based dishes work better with julienned raw zucchini.
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7:04 pm on November 11th, 2009
Ok this bitch-the squash, has shown up in my reader like 3x today, however you are the only one I trust, so I’m gonna do it.
Your nails look good btw.
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7:05 pm on November 11th, 2009
Ewww annoying, I don’t know why I typed my blog as my name. I’m clearly delusional…
It’s LIZ.
Going now.
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8:27 pm on November 11th, 2009
Squash that looks like pasta?
Ja provides.
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6:27 am on November 12th, 2009
I heart spaghetti squash. Yum yum.
I also heart the beer and what looks like DayQuil you’ve got next to the bowl.
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7:21 am on November 14th, 2009
This post was great. I learned 2 things. First, I’ve been making spaghetti squash in the oven for years and never thought about saving all that time in the microwave and second, now I know what bejeesus means! Thanks.
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8:33 am on December 14th, 2009
[...] This post was Twitted by jenniferalaine [...]
7:27 am on December 16th, 2009
[...] 1 spaghetti squash, cooked [...]
11:41 pm on January 28th, 2010
Yooo great job with this post! LOL it did something for me.
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