Let's face it, who doesn't love a comforting bowl of spaghetti? I think we all can admit to absolutely loving the stuff. However, as with any large bowl of pasta, it can really pack on the calories! Instead, let me introduce you to a tasty substitute for one of our stringy Italian favorites, which will save you hundreds of calories and up your fiber intake.
Not many people know about the wonderful spaghetti squash. Yes, there is such a thing, folks. It's a round, hefty squash with a very stringy pulp that makes it great as a spaghetti substitute.
So what to do with the stuff? It's really quite easy! Take a nice, rotund, hefty spaghetti squash and cut in half lengthwise. Place on an oven pan and bake at 375 for about an hour, or until the pulp becomes tender. Then using a fork, scrape out all of the pulp which will reveal its stringy goodness. Serve with your favorite pasta sauce and meatball substitute (you can get vegetarian "meatballs" in your local grocery store) and you've got a dinner fit for a king without all the excess calories. Pairs well with a glass of Pinot Noir or Cabernet (as does any red-sauced Italian dish).
There you have it: spaghetti squash. A sensible indulgence (a pound of the stuff is just 160 calories, so you can eat quite a bit. Compare to about 600 in an equivalent amount of spaghetti).
Would you try this healthy spaghetti substitute?
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Comments (40)
Hmmm I'll give it a try
I love all squash!! I tried it for the first time about a year ago, and im addicted. Great substitute!!
This looks really interesting actually. I love putting butternut squash in my veggie soup, and I like fried kobocha.
I might give it a go, but I could never give up Spaghetti.
It wouldn't replace my spaghetti full time, but we've had it, and we like it.
okay i don't think there is anything wrong with some whole wheat pasta! it is actually good for you...
BUT
spaghetti squash is amazing!! and i typically don't like squash so much so that is saying something! i like it because it is not super squash tasting. it is simple to make this and we top it with sauce, veggies, meat, whatever.
Where do you find this? I've looked at my local grocery store and don't know where you would find it. But I do have a good recipe for it (found in The Biggest Loser book). :)
@Morningstarrising@xanga - I buy mine from a local grocery store. It can be kind of hard to find, and you might seriously do better at a farmer's market if you have one local. A lot of places don't carry them, you really need someplace with a very large produce section.
Tried it and didn't care for it with sauce. Gonna try it again with just butter and salt, or maybe garlic salt and parm. Yummy.
I would definitely try it cause I do like vegetables, but I don't give a damn about calories and would never give up real spaghetti.
that looks cool; i would definitely try it (not as a substitute, though).
That looks so gooood. I'd try it.
I've been wanting to try this actually. Now I know how its done =]
It sounds... sweet?
I would never give up my spaghetti hehehe... but I'd like to try that one..
Wow, I've never heard of this before! I don't think it's sold at my grocery store.
Can you get spaghetti squash in Australia?
I'd try it, but I'm not a big fan of the squash family in general, aside from zucchini.
we plant those in our backyard, and they are really good
roast it with some brown sugar and top it with pasta sauce
i eat a least one every time
There's also tofu shirataki noodles. They have 40 calories for about...1-2 cups of noodles? But only get the angel hair type, the other types of noodles are much worse.
@clarajae@xanga - You should be able to.
Oh, I'm not a fan of squash so I don't that I'd ever be eating it. I like my real spaghetti a bit too much.
Does it taste like pasta? Or does it taste like squash?
I don't think it would be a spaghetti substitute but it definitely looks good.
@care@momaroo - It's kind of a blend actually. It's got the consistency and sort of blandness of pasta, however it's got a very mild nutty "squashy" taste as well. The flavor isn't nearly as strong as other types of squash.