Uh-Oh Spaghetti Squash

 

I grew an heirloom mix of pumpkins this year and after the rest of them died thanks to the squash borer, this little guy popped up.  As it grew, I assumed it was a pumpkin.  It started out green and then started to turn.  Instead of bright orange, it turned the color of a butternut squash.  I knew it wasn't  because of the shape.

 

 

When I opened it, I wasn't quite sure that it wasn't a butternut squash!  It sure looked like it on the inside.  I thought it was some kind of funky pumkpin.

 

 

I used my new grapefruit knife from Pampered Chef to scrape out the inside. It was perfect!  The serrated edge was just right for slipping around the inside and the bent tip made it all work.  I highly encourage you to think about getting one for your pumpkin carving this year.  Seriously.

 

I roasted it for about an hour, like I did with the butternut squash.  No oil.  No water.

 

 

How surprised was I went I discovered it was a spaghetti squash!  I immediately emailed my sister because I have no idea what to do with spaghetti squash and nothing I did was going to make k-ster want to eat it.  She said she has used it as "spaghetti" and served it with meatballs.  I had just eaten the meatballs last week, so that was out.  She also said something about sage and garlic but I didn't think k-ster would buy that either.

 

So, I took matters into my own hands.  I think I have heard of people using it with spaghetti sauce, so I thought this might work.

 

Fresh tomatoes, fresh basil and paremsan cheese.  I mixed it up and baked it.

 

And served it.  K-ster ate it but didn't love it.  He said it had "texture" issues.  I think maybe the squishy squash with chunks of tomato was too weird.  And there was a lot of liquid.  I haven't figured out what I would do with it if I made it again.  I loved the taste and I will probably eat the rest of it myself.  The flavor was fine and the squash didn't lend much flavor. 

Maybe garlic next time?  Maybe saute it? I'm thinking sauteeing might do something with all of the extra water. 

I just couldn't let this go.  It grew despite the nasty squash borer that ruined so much of my squash.  And it grew long after the rest of the plants were dead and gone.  It deserved to be prepared and eaten!

What do you do with spaghetti squash?