spaghetti squash

{{short description|Group of cultivars}}

{{Infobox cultivar

| name = Spaghetti squash

| image = Starr 070730-7822 Cucurbita pepo.jpg

| image_caption = Fruit of a yellow-skinned cultivar

| species = Cucurbita pepo

| group =

| origin = Asia

}}

{{nutritional value | name=Spaghetti squash, raw

| kJ=130

| protein=0.64 g

| fat=0.57 g

| carbs=6.91 g

| fiber=1.5 g

| sugars=2.76 g

| calcium_mg=23

| iron_mg=0.31

| magnesium_mg=12

| phosphorus_mg=12

| potassium_mg=108

| zinc_mg=0.19

| manganese_mg=0.125

| vitC_mg=2.1

| thiamin_mg=0.037

| riboflavin_mg=0.018

| niacin_mg=0.95

| pantothenic_mg=0.36

| vitB6_mg=0.101

| folate_ug=12

| vitA_ug=6

| betacarotene_ug=64

| vitE_mg=0.13

| source_usda = 1

| note=[https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169298/nutrients Link to USDA Database entry]

}}

Spaghetti squash or vegetable spaghetti is a group of cultivars of Cucurbita pepo subsp. pepo.{{GRIN | Cucurbita pepo | 12606 | access-date = 2015-01-31}} They are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colours, including ivory, yellow and orange, with orange having the highest amount of carotene. Its center contains many large seeds. When raw, the flesh is solid and similar to other raw squash. When cooked, the meat of the fruit falls away from the flesh in ribbons or strands that look like and can be used as an alternative to spaghetti.

Preparation

Spaghetti squash can be cooked in a variety of ways, including baking, boiling, steaming, air frying,{{Cite web |last=heather |date=2020-06-25 |title=Spaghetti Squash in Air Fryer |url=https://www.foodlovinfamily.com/air-fryer-spaghetti-squash/ |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=Food Lovin Family |language=en-US}} or microwaving.[http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/cooking/a/spagsquash.htm How to Cook Spaghetti Squash] Once cooked the flesh of this fruit can be prepared in a way that its “strands” look like and are as long as traditional spaghetti noodles.{{Cite news|url=https://eatwithinyourmeans.com/how-to-cook-spaghetti-squash/|title=How to Cook Spaghetti Squash {{!}} Eat Within Your Means|date=2017-01-17|work=Eat Within Your Means|access-date=2017-11-19|language=en-US}} It can be served with or without sauce as a substitute for pasta, and its seeds can be roasted, similar to pumpkin seeds.{{Cn|date=February 2021}}

Nutrition

Spaghetti squash contains many nutrients, including folic acid, potassium, and beta carotene. It is low in calories, averaging 42 calories per 1-cup (155 grams) serving.

Cultivation

File:Item 938308.jpg (1804)]]

Spaghetti squash is relatively easy to grow, thriving in gardens or pots.{{cite web |url=http://www.allwoodwork.com/article/gardening/spaghetti_squash_a_vegetable_with_a_suprise_inside.html |title=Spaghetti squash: a vegetable with a surprise inside |author=Liz Roberts |website=AllWoodWork.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216122712/http://www.allwoodwork.com/article/gardening/spaghetti_squash_a_vegetable_with_a_suprise_inside.html |archive-date=2012-02-16}}

The plants are monoecious, with male and female flowers on the same plant.{{cn|date=December 2022}} Male flowers have long, thin stems that extend upwards from the vine. Female flowers are shorter, with a small round growth underneath the petals. This round growth turns into the squash if the flower is successfully pollinated.{{Cn|date=February 2021}}

File:Spaghetti Squash Cooked 500.jpg|Cooked

File:Spaghetti Squash Prepared 500.jpg|Prepared

File:Male spaghetti squash flower.jpg|Male flower

File:Female spaghetti squash flower.jpg|Female flower

File:Somenkabocha - squash - Japan - September 2014.jpg|Being sold at a Greengrocer in Japan

File:Spaghetti Squash Marinara.jpg|Served with marinara sauce

References

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