
How To Grow Spaghetti Squash – The yellow spaghetti squash is ideal for amateur cooks due to its easy preparation. Like the zucchini, the delicious variety also belongs to the genus of garden pumpkins.
The vegetables weigh between one and three kilograms and can be used in a variety of ways in the kitchen. What do you have to pay attention to?
Facts about spaghetti squash
After cooking, its long, thin fibers under the skin are reminiscent of spaghetti – the spaghetti squash owes its name to this fact.
Like many other pumpkin varieties, the yellow flesh has a nutty taste. It is therefore suitable for various dishes such as soups, baked or as a side dish. You can also easily cut the pumpkin wedges into wedges and cook them on the baking tray in the oven for a few minutes – an ideal autumn treat and a great alternative to fries. But pumpkin also tastes fantastic grilled.
Cooking spaghetti squash: this is how it works
You don’t have to do much for the spectacular look, just cook the spaghetti squash.
- Prick the garden pumpkin several times with a thick needle, for example a skewer. Alternatively, this also works with a fork.
- Then cook the spaghetti squash whole – depending on the size – for 30 to 40 minutes in salted water or broth.
- If the skin of the small garden pumpkin becomes soft, it is cooked through. Halve the spaghetti squash and remove the seeds with a spoon.
- The best way to remove the long-fiber flesh is with a fork.
Prepare spaghetti squash in the oven
The garden pumpkin can be prepared just as well in the oven.
- Halve the raw pumpkin lengthways and remove the seeds.
- To give the spaghetti squash a more intense taste, you can season the flesh with salt and pepper before baking and brush with butter if you like.
- Then place the squash halves, cut side up, in the hot oven for about 45 minutes.
- Season the hot squash with Parmesan. This then melts slightly and gives the pumpkin flesh a very special aroma.
- If desired, the pulp can then be eaten straight from the skin.
Prepare spaghetti squash in the microwave
You can also cook spaghetti squash in the microwave.
- Halve the pumpkin and remove the seeds.
- Then place the spaghetti squash cut-side down on a plate and place in the microwave.
- Then put a few drops of water on the pumpkin and the plate. This creates water vapor during the cooking process. This ensures that the pumpkin flesh is cooked gently and stays nice and juicy.
- Depending on how much the squash weighs, the cooking time in the method should be adjusted. Typically about five minutes per pound is taken at 800 watts.
- After the pumpkin has been cooked in the microwave for an appropriate amount of time, you should take it out and let it cool down a bit.
- Use a fork to check if the pumpkin flesh is already tender enough. If not, microwave for a few more minutes.
- When the squash is soft and juicy, season with salt and pepper.
How To Grow Spaghetti Squash in Your Own Garden
Anyone who grows this variety in the garden will enjoy it even in summer. The vegetables need a very nutrient-rich soil, which has been fertilized at best. In case of frost, let the seeds germinate indoors.
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In spring, on the other hand, this also works well in the garden and you save yourself the later replanting. In any case, make sure your pumpkin plant is sunny and sheltered from the wind. Keep in mind: This tendril and wants to spread undisturbed – either at ground level and over a large area or upwards.
In order for the fruits to grow well, pollinating insects are required. You can harvest the spaghetti squash from the end of August. When stored in cool and dark rooms, for example, in the cellar, it can be kept for up to a year. However, it does not survive frost.