Monday, September 19, 2005

Spaghetti Squash 2 ways

Although my favorite season is almost over, the sight of pumpkins at the grocery store makes me smile!
For me summer brings the best fruits and vegetables, but I am also fond of the squashes and apples that come with fall.
Today I made one of my favorites: Spaghetti Squash! I discovered this vegetable not long ago, having not knowing about it when I lived in Brazil. Some people have seen and eaten this over there, but the first time I saw it was here in the US.
I think this is an interesting vegetable, as once cooked, it really does resemble spaghetti. And it is so simple to make: just cut it in half and remove the seeds, put it cut side down on a Pyrex dish with some water or broth (if using water you can add some salt and pepper to flavor it). Cover with plastic wrap and microwave for about 20 minutes. It comes out perfectly done, steamy and delicious, just scrape it with a fork out of its shell and there it is, ready for some butter and the seasoning of your choice.
Speaking of seasoning, that is what the title today is about: 2 different ways to eat your squash. Just with the sound of “spaghetti” Matheus declared: “yummy, I want mine with tomato sauce and cheese”. He did not even let me get to the squash part of the dish… Anyways, that’s how he got his, and for me butter, some salt and pepper were more than enough; this way I could taste the wonderful squashy flavor! But if you know me a little better you will figure out that I obviously added some grated cheese on top of mine too! (Matheus and I are the kings of “cheese on top”!)
Give it a try, it is easy to make and so versatile, you can add whatever seasoning and sauce you like: butter, some herbs, tomato sauce, even white sauce is good. Plus it is delicious and full of vitamins, healthy and good for you!
Everything else is going well today! Need to go grocery shopping this afternoon as we are running out of milk. I added a few extra ingredients to the list and am planning on making a cake during the week, lets see how it goes.

Ana


Here is how it looks, and then after I cut into it.


5 comments:

Little Mama said...

I LUV spaghetti squash. My mom used to make it all the time when I was growing up. I have served it with sausage and meat sauces (especially for my meat loving man). But I am much like you, best with butter and some grated cheese. Yummy.

Joe said...

I've never tried it (we just started using butternut within the last couple years) but have quite a few recipes set aside to try it this year I hope!

Anonymous said...

Ana, it's not easy to find itaround here. I find butternut squash pretty easily and all things pumpking..but never came across your little favourite. Shame as I would love to give it a try. There is a big north american community in a town near here so I might be able to find it at their local supermarket.As for the season changing, as much as I love spring and summer..there is something quite wonderful about the autumn veggies. I love it.Can't wait.

Ana said...

Valentina, I think the squash I like the most is still Butternut! I love them all (butternut, spaghetti, acorn), but the butternut is so creamy and sweet, I love making soup with it, specially butternut squash and apple soup - how can you get more "fallish" than that, huh?!
But definitely try the spaghetti if you can find it over there!
Ans Joe, give it a try, it is pretty good with butter and cheese (as Punky also likes it!). I find it such a cool squash, the texture is so diferent and the taste is still a little "pumpkiny"!
Ana

Anonymous said...

I love spaghetti squash! Thanks for spreading the spaghetti squash gospel - it's interesting how many people have no idea what it is!