I know, I know, you were expecting a post on the latest from Felicity… Well, I can tell you what’s new. Nothing. Sorry. My day was filled from the time I got out of bed until now…it’s 5 minutes till midnight. I just went into my sewing room and started gathering tiny leaves and looking for a piece of trim to use on the hat, and a ribbon to tie on it… and then decided…It’s almost midnight…don’t start on this now and do a rush job just to get a post from it… so I listened to myself and decided to write about something else.
It has nothing to do with dolls, but it will make your tummy happy. Have you ever tried Spaghetti Squash? I can honestly say, up until probably 6 months ago, I had never tried it. I thought surely it must taste icky. Well, a lady at the Food Pantry served it for lunch one day and I’ve been hooked on it ever since. AND…it’s come in pretty handy as our “pasta substitute.”
When my hubby finished with 5 1/2 months of Chemo, in May, he decided he wanted to make a change in the way we ate. He wanted to give up the major carbs…Pasta, Potatoes, Rice, and Bread (when they are digested, they all turn to glucose (sugar) and he was trying to get all the sugar out of his body. Oh AND we gave up Sugar too. So we started on this new adventure. It was much easier with us both doing it. He was doing it for his health and it’s been a pretty good fit for both of us. It was hard at first to get used to this new way of eating, but now it’s gradually become easier to prepare things. It’s been successful for us too. He has lost 54 pounds so far and I have lost 26. He was able to get off his Omeprezole (Acid Reflux) and his high blood pressure medicine. He is much more disciplined than I am… I had a piece of cake at a wedding, when I had some company recently, I had a slice of cheesecake, I even went to Cool Spoons when Deb was down visiting and had a dollop of yogurt in the bottom of my cup with fruit and nuts on it… Occasionally I’ll have croutons on my salad and a piece of toast from a multi grain bread that I LOVE! But it’s mostly sticking to the plan we started back in May… He very seldom ever cheats… I mean E-V-E-R!
Well, enough on that… I wanted to show you how I make the Spaghetti Squash. Linda asked about it the other day. It has become our pasta and it’s pretty versatile… I’ll show you how I do it with quite a few pictures. (maybe everyone makes it this way, but I had never heard of doing it like this and think it’s very fun and easy to do.)
I tend to get a spaghetti squash about this size… you can see it on my dinner plate for size reference.
They are very hard to cut open, so I generally ask my hubby to cut the stem end off…and then put the flat side down and cut it down long ways. (I was thinking you might be able to get someone in the butcher shop or the bakery department to cut it open for you if you don’t think you can do it at home… they are REALLY hard and tough skinned… ) Be careful if you do it yourself.
When you get it open, it will look like this…
There are lots of seeds and stringy “things” inside, so I take a spoon and scoop them out… they want to hang on to the squash, but with a little bit of scooping back and forth, you’ll get them out… Now the hard parts over… the rest is easy peasy!
Next, take a baking dish or a pan with sides on it and put them face down in it. Add enough cold water to them so that it comes up on the squash about 1/4″ – 1/3″ or so… it doesn’t have to be exact…
Put them in a hot oven (375 degrees) and bake them for about 30 – 40 minutes depending on the size you have. I tend to get this same size so I always bake mine at 30 minutes and they come out perfect each time.
You can pull them halfway out of your oven and poke them with your finger and see if they seem kind of soft… I actually took mine out, poked my finger on mine and it went through the squash… yep.. I think it’s done. You don’t want them to be squishy or mushy but be a little bit like “al dente” spaghetti… It’s one of those things you’ll have to figure out with your oven.
Drain the water out of your pan or lift them out carefully without getting your oven mitt or hot pad wet. Turn them over…
Take a spoon or fork and start scraping the insides out of them… this is the fun part… go all the way to the rind… It should easily scrape off and get all “noodle-y” like… :o)
I generally leave the squash in the rind, until I get both of them scraped out…
This is what they look like all cleaned out…
So now you can fix whatever you like. Monday night I made “Jeanne’s Broccoli Con Pasta.” Well, sort of… I cooked some chicken, added some steamed broccoli, microwaved 3 slices of bacon and chopped it up, and added it all in the same pan. I used a jar of light Alfredo sauce and mixed it all up… (next time I’m making Kristoffer’s Alfredo sauce recipe!)
Then I added my spaghetti squash..
This was my final dish!!! We really liked it!
Here’s a picture of the spaghetti squash when I used it and made regular spaghetti…
I won’t lie to you and tell you it tastes like Olive Garden’s pasta, but when you want spaghetti and need a “noodle fix” it’s pretty good! We like it and hope if you try it, you will too!
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne, I’d heard of spaghetti squash, but hadn’t seen such well-illustrated directions for preparing it before–thanks!!
I checked online, and one site suggests you can microwave a spaghetti squash for 3-4 minutes, just enough to soften it enough so you can cut it. They don’t suggest microwaving it longer than that, though, or you could get an unpleasant surprise when the steam builds up inside the squash! LOL I think I would probably have to do that (nuke it briefly), as I’m not that strong, and my husband isn’t as strong as he used to be, either, so might have trouble cutting it, himself. The site I looked at suggested partially wrapping the squash in a towel before you start cutting, to keep it steady while you cut (and protect your hands).
HI Charlotte,
Well, one thing is for certain… I am NO food photographer. My pictures are pretty amateurish… if you ask me… but I’m glad they enticed a few people on here.
I’m going to try the trick of microwaving it for a few minutes and see how that works.. it’s so easy once you get it cut apart! I like the towel wrapping idea too… I’ll give them both a try!
Thanks so much Charlotte,
Blessings, Jeanne
Thank you so much for this post, Jeanne! I’m not familiar with any kind of squash, besides butternut squash soup, which is already made, but this doesn’t look hard at all! I thought that spaghetti squash would look like spaghetti noodles! I think squash is kind of daunting to a lot of people, because in itself, it doesn’t look like it would be easy or even good. This one I’m going to try! I just hope I can find spaghetti squash at the store. Is there a particular season for it, or can you find it year round?
I really messed up yesterday with my diet. We went to Cracker Barrel for dinner, and I had chicken and dumplings, fried okra, two rolls, and I will say, thankfully, a salad! But, today will be better, I promise!
Charlotte, that is great info about using a towel while cutting! Microwaving sounds appealing, but I sure don’t want any explosions in my microwave!!
I notice your “new” countertop in picture!! Very nice!
HI Linda,
Well, the spaghetti squash does sort of resemble short pieces of pasta… maybe about 1″ long or so… I’ve found it every time I’ve been to the store… Kroger, Walmart, Aldi… it’s anywhere from .99/lb at Aldi to $1.28/lb at Walmart. It’s just a way to fool yourself into thinking you are having pasta as opposed to just having spaghetti sauce by itself. :o)
Every time I’ve gone to Cracker Barrel, I have goofed… I think I’ve made a good choice and then when I look it up…OOPS… not so good!
Yes, the new counter top on the one side of my kitchen is wonderful! We love it very much and can’t wait to put in new cabinets below it!!! :o) I’m so glad you noticed it!
Blessings, Jeanne
I am so jealous!! Our nearest Cracker Barrel is, I think, in Idaho (and we’re just north of Seattle). We both LOVE Cracker Barrel for the food, and I enjoy the shopping, too!! LOL So, don’t feel too guilty–just tell yourself you did it for those poor folks on the west coast who don’t have a CB in even in their own state!! LOL
Jeanne,
You are an absolute delight! Spaghetti Squash is something I rarely think of eating. Your step by step pictures make it impossible for it not to turn out right. Your encouragement has motivated me to go out and buy a couple of squash and prepare it for dinner. I think that we will try it with spaghetti.
What a blessing and answer to prayer to hear how well your husband is doing and the answer to prayer for his recent test. Thank you Lord.
Thank you Laureen,
I’m so thrilled that you are going to give the Spaghetti Squash a try. I hope you like it! I’m sure there are a million ways you can use it… we seem to be stuck on spaghetti and “Pasta Con Broccoli.” :o) I need to look at Pinterest for some new ideas…
Yes, the latest report from the doctor has been such wonderful news… it’s like a new lease on life right. He’s going to enjoy these next 3 months before he has to have another Cystoscopy… :o)
Thank you so much for your prayers!
Blessings, Jeanne
I thought George was looking pretty trim in the picture taken at Sara’s family dinner. Congratulations on the discipline it takes to lose that much. You, too, Jeanne. It’s not easy to change a lifetime of cooking habits. I’m going to try the spaghetti squash too. I’m thinking maybe an ice pick and a hammer might be a good idea before putting the squash in the microwave? What do you have for breakfast? That’s my downfall, usually something sweet.
I thankfully missed the Dodgers losing as I was inspired by everyone’s energy from reading the bios and put everything away from Halloween and changed the clothes on seven dolls and fell asleep during the second inning. We had lived in Houston for three years, though, so all was not lost.
HI Susette,
I”m glad you could notice my new slimmer hubby in the pictures… in person, it’s incredible.. He hit a new low today… and was so excited! (Well a new low since the last 5 years probably!) He’s enjoying his new smaller sized shirts and pants! :o) (Me too!!!)
An ice pick and a hammer might work! :o) I am going to try Charlotte’s idea of microwaving it for a few minutes to soften it up a little bit. Getting it cut in half is truly the only hard part about making it!
For breakfast we have eggs…. scrambled, hard boiled, over easy, hard…sometimes with 2 pieces of low sodium bacon, sometimes with a slice or two of deli turkey breast, sometimes we make a 2 eggs in a pan and break the yolks…so it turns out flat…flip it over to cook on both sides, salt and pepper it, put it on a pita pocket (we buy ones called Joseph’s Pita Pockets and they are the lowest carb bread item we can find…) We use them ALL the time for everything.
Then we might put some crumbled up bacon on top of the flat egg. It fits perfectly on the pita pocket… then we sprinkle it with a little cheddar cheese and fold it over like a taco or a chalupa. I like catsup on mine and my hubby likes a little mayo on his.
Sometimes we have a piece of string cheese with some shaved turkey breast wrapped around it. Sometimes we have a piece of celery with cream cheese on it. Sometimes we have a handful of almonds with some fruit… Sometimes we take a heaping spoonful of cream cheese and stir it around with a spoon until it’s sort of creamy like… we add a packet of Truvia (Stevia) to it and give it another stir. In a small bowl take about 1/3 cut of blueberries and thaw them out for 30 seconds in the microwave. Add them to the cream cheese and gently stir them in … We call it “cheesecake.” It’s pretty good and a dessert we have a lot!
Maybe that will give you some new ideas… ???
I watched Game 7 too and didn’t have a particular team, but enjoyed the game.. I think game 5 or 6 was the best I’d ever seen!
Well, I better get to moving on to the rest of my comments!
Blessings, Jeanne
Haven’t thought of spaghetti squash in years. I used to grow it. I grew loofahs too.:) Now they are strange. Spaghetti squash actually grows very easily and is kind of fun to watch. We found the spaghetti dishes made with it were very rich tasting. We didn’t like it much, but that is just us. With all the wonderful healthy fiber varieties of pasta available now, we go with those. But, the doctor’s recommended diet is best I’m sure, and a big congrats on the weight loss. Very hard to accomplish.
We are scheduled for some much needed rain tonight. Hoping for just a little as they are so worried about the ash runoff into streams/waterways. Quite toxic.
HI Joy,
I didn’t know anything about Spaghetti squash until Kathy made it…it intrigued me so much I had to give it a try. Up until May, we had switched to Barilla Plus Spaghetti because of the fiber and if we ever do pasta again, I’m sure we’ll go back to it.
Actually the doctor didn’t recommend this diet, it was my hubby who wanted to do it on his own… He has just gotten his doctors blessing because of the results he’s had!
It poured here yesterday and was gloomy all day! We are trying to get ready for a big hayride on Saturday, so we are really hoping the rain doesn’t stick around too long here. I think it’s a 20 % chance on Saturday…eek!
Are you and your neighbors all doing okay since the fires? I was wondering about you all and hoped things were getting back to normal…if that’s okay to say… :o/
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
One of these days, I really really want to try the squash spaggetti. Pasta’s are my downfall and this sure would be a change for the good. Fortunately, my husband has always been a vegetable person, so I at least get my veggies…now this would be great to try the squash.
It’s neat that Kristopher creates and makes special dishes. Good son!
Forgot to mention… can’t wait to see what you come up with cabinets. That’s wonderful that it is your next project!
HI Paula,
If you ever try the spaghetti squash, I hope you like it. It’s good that your hubby likes veggies… we do too!
I just saw Kristoffer in Walmart and looked at his cart. I asked him what he was making and he said, “something Chinese…” I hope it turned out! He really is a good cook.. both my kids are!
Well, my cabinets are on hold until I get this hayride over with and then get SOME sewing done first! :o)
Thanks Paula,
Blessings, Jeanne
Your menus look and sound tasty, Jeanne. We like spaghetti squash too. It really is a quick alternative with other squash and surely fun with the “spaghetti”.
I’m so glad the weight has been coming off of both you and George. Are you ready to run in a race now?
Take care.
HI Becky,
Well, I don’t know if this counts, but we were on the go from this morning, looking at stoves, and cabinets and counter tops and vent hoods, etc. We got home at 8:00 and were pretty pooped… it wasn’t a race but it sure felt like it. I had 2 boxes of clothes to take to Goodwill, but I never made it there… guess that will be for another day.
Thanks so much, Becky,
Blessings, Jeanne
How wonderful to have vegetable pasta without using the ‘spiralizer’ machine. I’m sure it will taste better than zucchini pasta too. Seeds are available here so I’ll grow some of these. Thank you for this posting.
What do you have for low carb. breakfasts?
Well done on the healthy eating changes. Yay for George and his post chemo good news.
Back to vegetables – We have a Saturday morning produce market in the nearby (smallish) city. I once thought I’d try some new vegetables. The vendor was oriental, Vietnamese I think and all information was lost in translation. I had bought a long curved something which I finally identified as a loofah! From a library book, Dr Google was no help in that instance.
I bought a new brand of paleo bread last week with heaps of tumeric and cricket flour in the ingredient list, and it was delicious. The way of the future apparently.
HI Jane,
I’ve never used a spiralizer before but they look kind of interesting… I’m assuming you have one?
Susette asked about what we eat for breakfast… I copied and pasted what I wrote for her, here:
For breakfast we have eggs…. scrambled, hard boiled, over easy, hard…sometimes with 2 pieces of low sodium bacon, sometimes with a slice or two of deli turkey breast, sometimes we make 2 eggs in a pan and break the yolks…so it turns out flat…flip it over to cook on both sides, salt and pepper it, put it on a pita pocket (we buy ones called Joseph’s Pita Pockets and they are the lowest carb bread item we can find…) We use them ALL the time for everything.
Then we might put some crumbled up bacon on top of the flat egg. It fits perfectly on the pita pocket… then we sprinkle it with a little cheddar cheese and fold it over like a taco or a chalupa. I like catsup on mine and my hubby likes a little mayo on his.
Sometimes we have a piece of string cheese with some shaved turkey breast wrapped around it. Sometimes we have a piece of celery with cream cheese on it. Sometimes we have a handful of almonds with some fruit… Sometimes we take a heaping spoonful of cream cheese and stir it around with a spoon until it’s sort of creamy like… we add a packet of Truvia (Stevia) to it and give it another stir. In a small bowl take about 1/3 cut of blueberries and thaw them out for 30 seconds in the microwave. Add them to the cream cheese and gently stir them in … We call it “cheesecake.” It’s pretty good and a dessert we have a lot!
Maybe that will give you some new ideas… ???
My daughter does a lot of Paleo cooking… cricket flour???? seriously? that’s a new one for me… but it sounds interesting…
Thanks Jane,
Blessings, Jeanne
Loved your post today. I have never tried spaghetti squash but your recipe looks so good I’m gonna have to give it a try.
Congratulations on both of your weight loss – 54 & 26 that’s impressive. We try to eat meatless 1 – 2 nights / week and I have to say I don’t miss the meat.
I have always been interested in natural medicine and have read many times that there are multiple studies that indicate cancer feeds on sugar and we all get way more than we used to – it’s in everything. Carbs are so satisfying and hard to give up and there is no way I can eat a roll or piece of bread without butter, lots of butter – I mean what’s the point? So I guess if I go the low / no carb way I will also be going low fat.
So happy for you, George and all the family. When I read your news yesterday I honestly said “Yes” out loud with both hands up in the air! God IS good.
HI Leigh,
You’ll have to let me know if you try it and like it… we are pretty used to it by now and I bet if we had regular pasta now, it would taste strange.
Thanks for the congrats on the weight loss. It’s pretty exciting as we get thinner and thinner… (I mean healthier and healthier!)
There are several schools of thought out there about the benefits of giving up sugar for cancer’s sake. It’s not been proven one way or the other, but my hubby decided he’d rather be on the side of caution than to keep going the way he was. He knew he needed to lose weight whether or not the studies were correct.
Carbs ARE hard to give up… and we had just found a certain Alpine Valley Multi Grain Omega 3 bread that we LOVED… :o(
We sort of did a little scream in the car after we got out of the doctor’s office too!
Thanks so much Leigh,
Blessings, Jeanne
Eating healthier is definitely a good goal for everyone, but unfortunately I love carbs. Breads and pasta are my downfall. I have been cooking spaghetti squash for years, and I like it very much. I actually cook it in the microwave though. I split it and de-seed it just as you did, but I put it cut side up in a glass dish with a little water in the bottom and cover it with plastic wrap. If it’s a big squash, it takes about 10 minutes to get it done enough to scoop out. I have been seeing other vegetables in the produce section already cut into pasta-like spirals, and I am anxious to try those as well, but haven’t tried any yet.
HI Carolyn,
Bread and pasta are truly hard to give up. It’s only by the grace of God that we have been able to do it.. seriously, it is very had to give them up… but we have made substitutions and are okay with them…
I’ll have to try cooking the spaghetti squash the way you do, in the microwave… thanks for telling me how you do it.
Since it’s getting cooler, I’m ready for some soups… how about you? Loaded with lots of veggies..yummy!
Thanks Carolyn,
Blessings, Jeanne