“It’s a winner.” How to prepare and cook spaghetti squash “Unless you have an allergy, it’s high in fiber and essential vitamins while being low in calories and carbs,” she says. Does the spaghetti squash have any downsides?Īccording to Czerwony, the only real downside of the spaghetti squash is if you have an allergy. “It’s really a great way to cut calories from your meal without sacrificing that mouthfeel you’re looking for.”Īdditionally, because spaghetti squash is high in fiber and low in carbs, Czerwony says, it won’t mess with your blood sugar the same way high-carb foods -particularly semolina pasta - can. “A cup is a pretty good serving and that’s only about 40 calories,” Czerwony says. On top of these benefits, spaghetti squash is both filling and low in calories. But these antioxidants fight them and break them down,” she says. “We talk about free radicals from the polluted air we take in and the damage they can do to your body. It also has antioxidants, which Czerwony notes are especially helpful for other reasons. “You’re getting tons of vitamin C, vitamin B6, betacarotene and fiber,” Czerwony says. Like other members of the squash family, the spaghetti squash is high in vitamins and nutritional value. You can cut around those for cooking, but just be aware it’s possible,” she says.
#SPINE2D SQASH SKIN#
“The skin is a little bit thinner than a pumpkin, so if you get some bruising, that could result in soft spots. The only thing you should keep an eye out for is bruising. “And it’s a hearty winter vegetable so, theoretically, as long as you keep it in a cool, dry spot, it could last a few weeks before you cook it.” “If you plan on cooking it as soon as you buy it, you don’t need to worry about letting it ripen on the counter,” she says. Its tough, thick skin means it’s hard to tell if it’s “ripe” or not but that’s not really an issue, says Czerwony. These “noodles” can be used in a pasta dish or in a variety of other ways. What is spaghetti squash?Ī gourd, like pumpkins and other squashes, the spaghetti squash is a large, yellow, melon-shaped food that’s usually harvested in early fall but can be found in grocery stores at just about any time of year.īecause of the way the flesh inside the squash shreds into long strands, it’s often used as a healthier substitute for spaghetti - hence the name. To get the low-down on everything about this wonderful food, we spoke to registered dietitian Beth Czerwony, RD.
While hearing about spaghetti squash may put you in the frame of mind for pasta, rest assured it’s in the same family as other winter squashes and can be used in a variety of dishes. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.