another spaghetti squash question

[itsjustme]

I made the spaghetti squash following the directions I got here, BUT I have a question. The "noodles" were kind of crunchy - are they supposed to be that way? My husband thought they should have been chewier (more like "real" spaghetti) but neither of us has had it before so we didn't know. He thought maybe it wasn't ripe, but like I said - we've never had it before so we weren't sure if it was supposed to be crunchy or if I did something wrong.

[itsjustme]

Can anyone answer this for me :confused: Thanks again!!!!

[plcm111195]

It's always fairly crunchy when I make it. It won't ever be the consistancy of real spaghetti.
At least not in my experience.
I think it's just called that because it looks like spaghetti.

[lm2]

you might need to cook it longer and it does get softer with spaghetti sauce on it.
lin

[itsjustme]

Thanks again guys! I thought it would be softer becuase several people in my WW meeting said that it's hard to distinguish spaghetti made from spaghetti squash from the "real thing"...After we had it last night, I was wondering how they made THEIR spaghetti!!!!

Hubby did say that it was not as crunchy today though - must be the spaghetti sauce that softened it up.

[p.c.]

you need to cook it longer. did you microwave it? i HATE it when it turns out crunchy! try it again because it is delish when the "noodles" are soft. i used to cut mine in half and micro, but this put my fingers in danger! those suckers are hard to cut! i recently read on this site to poke a hole in it with a skewer, microwave it, THEN cut it in half. good luck1

[itsjustme]

Yes, I did microwave it. I can't remember how long it took though - maybe 12 minutes or so...

I poked lots of little holes in it with a steak knife and then microwaved it and then cut it in half. Are you saying that I should have just poked 1 hole (well 2, one entry and one exit wound ;) )? Or do you mean that you poked lots of holes with the skewer?

The outside was soft, but the inside was definitely crunchy. About how long would you estimate it needs to cook and do you know when it's done?

[autumnbskt]

I cook mine for 20 min in the microwave ( I cook both 1/2s at a time. I have not tried the piercing method yet, but I probably will soon because they really are quite hard to cut! Maybe I cook mine too long graemlins/crazy.gif , but at least the strings are not too crunchy! :D
Lana

[BuckeyeAnnie]

I cook 1/2 on high power for 10 mins. Some still seem too "raw" and I put them in longer--I do think it depends on the "ripeness." Mine are never super tender, but cooking longer makes them seem a bit less stringy! I'm addicted...I have spaghetti squash mixed with Laughing Cow light for lunch 2-3 days a week.

[kymm28]

I have always cut it in half, put it in a stock pot, cover w/water, put on lid. Once the water comes to a boil, let it cook for 20 min. It always comes out perfect!! Make sure to take it out of the water w/tongs (it's hot) and scrape w/a fork to get "spaghetti".

[sking1973]

Can anyone give me the recepie for spaghetti squash. It

sounds really interesting:help:

[Joyfulgirl]

Sara, Spaghetti Squash is a squash that looks similiar to spaghetti and tastes great with sauces or even as a side dish. I just made some last week, and they're in season!

I usually cut mine in half lengthwise (WARNING! Can be really hard to cut), deseed like a pumpkin, and then put them in a glass pan with 2 inches of water cut side down. Make sure the cut edges are submerged in water and bake at 350 for 1 hour.

You can also pierce the squash instead of cutting it in half and then microwave or boil it until really tender. After it's done let it cool a bit, deseed, and scrape the insides out with a fork. They come apart in strands that are similiar to spaghetti. I cook it for a bit in a homemade sauce with mushrooms for 4.5 points a serving. VERY filling!

[praised]

I poked holes and microwaved. I then cut it half and today I made pseudo spaghetti with turkey meat balls. Aldi has meatballs under the Fitness and Active brand (6 for 4 points). I saute green peppers, garlic and onions, added oregano and tomato sauce, put in the meatballs, simmered and then added the squash.

[serst6]

I also use the "cut in half / place in a pan with water/bake for an hour method". I have tried microwaving, and I don't think it comes out as well. I eat it topped with marinara and/or a small amount of X-lean ground beef or turkey, or vegetable crumbles. Its so good!