Adventures In Spaghetti Squash

A good friend of our recently gave us some beautiful pumpkins and spaghetti squash. I just love the fall colors sitting on my kitchen counter! As much as I was enjoying looking at them though, I just had to give one a try.

My friend warned me that the spaghetti squash is a bit tough to open. He said they get sort of a hard shell over time, and we might need a hatchet or something to get it open.

Of course, I didn't really believe him and had to try with the knife first. Sure enough...the guy knows what he's talking about.

So I hunted around the shed and garage for a hatchet. No luck. Hmmm... what do do? And then I saw this sitting in the garage:



Oh yes, I did!

When Ben saw me walk into the kitchen carrying this thing, he said, "Mom! What the?! You gotta be kidding me!" Oh, the phrases they pick up in the first grade. But then?

"Where's the camera, Mom?" That's my boy.

I managed to cut the top off with a knife (and much grunting and groaning and begging and pleading and almost chopping my finger off). So I put it flat side down on a cutting board and then picked up my "hatchet".

Oooo, this is gonna be fun!


CLEAR!


Okay, got the thing stuck in the squash.


Now, I'll just lift the whole thing like this, and smash it down...

Got it!


From there I was able to open it up with a knife. Amazingly, all my fingers were intact at the end!




Scoop out the gunk and seeds with a spoon.


Brush a little olive oil on it, and bake it in the oven for about 30 minutes. My friend said to do it at 350, but I did it at 400 because I had a casserole going at the same time (and it needed 400). Worked out just fine.

The edges browned a bit, and it was tender when I poked it with a fork.


And next, we can see why it's called a spaghetti squash. Look at how this stuff comes out! So fun!







I took my friend's recommendation (see I can listen to instructions), and added some cinnamon and brown sugar.


Unfortunately, the sugar and cinnamon didn't fool my kids. They all took one bite because I told them it would be sweet...but it didn't take them long to realize that "this ain't candy". They couldn't be persuaded to take another bite.



In fact, they went to some pretty creative lengths to hide the fact that they weren't eating it.



Oh well. It was really fun to make...when else can I use an axe to make "spaghetti"?

Anonymous –   – (10/14/2008 08:01:00 AM)  

Try it with spagetti sauce. I've done it that way, too. Yummy!

Anonymous –   – (10/14/2008 04:14:00 PM)  

For next time, the label on the last one I bought at the grocery store said if you microwave it for a minute it's easier to cut open - not that your axe didn't look like great fun and make for an awesome memory.

And I agree w/ the last comment - if you put spaghetti sauce on it, your kids will probably eat it.

It's good w/ just a little butter and seasoning salt, too.

Now I'm gonna have to grab another one on my next shopping trip. Yum!

Hilty Sprouts  – (10/14/2008 05:36:00 PM)  

That is priceless!

I prefer putting marinara on the squash too.

Jen

Ruth  – (10/14/2008 06:59:00 PM)  

Those are some great pictures! I've never had it but I think I may try it now.

Daiquiri  – (10/14/2008 08:30:00 PM)  

Well, I had pretty much resigned myself to enjoying the other squash as a fall decoration, but now I'm curious about how it tastes with spaghetti sauce! I'll give it a try...the micro tip too. Thanks all!

Unknown  – (10/14/2008 08:43:00 PM)  

Yikes ... that's one way to do it.

Anonymous –   – (10/15/2008 08:22:00 AM)  

That looks like the madock (axe) that Matt used to break up cow pies for his Oregon adventure. Maybe not!!

Jim

Daiquiri  – (10/15/2008 10:58:00 AM)  

Jim! Oh, I'm falling off my chair over here laughing! It IS Matt's axe! I feel okay knowing that I scrubbed for a long time with hot water and soap...and I cooked the squash up to 400 degrees. Oh, ewwww! I sure hope you're kidding!

If not...well, maybe the kids have more sophisicated taste buds than I gave them credit for. "Why is mom feeding us cow pattie squash?!"

Oh man. The "mom of the year" award is gonna have to go to someone else this year...again! :)

Anonymous –   – (10/16/2008 12:36:00 AM)  

Maybe your Good friends should bring them split for you?

Crazy friends

Anonymous –   – (10/16/2008 09:41:00 PM)  

LOVE the post and pics! We enjoy spaghetti squash w/ marina sauce on parmesan cheese - yum, yum!

Cooking tip: Poke a few holes in the skin with a sharp knife and but the entire squash in a 350 degree oven for an hour (just like a baked potato) Remove from oven, let cool a bit and cut in half with a knife and discard seeds before scooping/hredding the flesh out. No need for the hatchet! :o)

Lisa @ The Plain-Spoken Pen  – (11/10/2008 09:02:00 AM)  

Mmm, I love spaghetti squash! It's great with ground beef or turkey and marinara sauce, or alfredo sauce and chicken. And there have been time I've wished I had a hatchet to take to it! LOL

My son is also in first grade. He came home one day and asked me "Mama, is 'what the' a bad word?" LOL I told him not so much in and of itself, it depends on what you say after it. They learn some stuff, even at that young age.

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