How To Freeze Spaghetti Squash
Packed with loads of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants the spaghetti squash is a nutritious vegetable treat that virtually everyone can enjoy.
This gluten-free and paleo-approved alternative can be mixed in with all manners of vegetables, proteins, and healthy fats.
Because of its high fiber content and low-calorie count, it is hardly surprising that it is quickly becoming a popular replacement for pasta, especially for those looking to lose some weight and improve their digestive health.
If you want to know how to freeze spaghetti squash, it’s really simple. You can freeze spaghetti squash by cooking it, stripping it into strands, and draining it before packaging and storing it in the freezer.
It can never hurt to have this ingredient on-hand at all times. That is why we have come up with this handy freezing guide. After all, the last thing we want is to let your extra spaghetti squash go to waste.
This way, you can freeze the stuff that you won’t be able to use and have some handy later on. The process is incredibly easy and unbelievably convenient, so be sure to keep reading!
Spaghetti Squash Overview
A vibrant and nutritious winter vegetable, spaghetti squash is a close relative of pumpkins, zucchini, squash, and the like. Similarly, you will find that spaghetti squash can come in different shapes, sizes, colors.
Spaghetti squash is best known for its mildly nutty flavor and stringy texture that makes it a perfect ingredient for a wide array of recipes.
It is an incredibly versatile vegetable that can easily be prepared in several ways. It can be boiled, steamed, baked, and even microwaved while retaining all of its flavors and nutrients.
It has also become an incredibly popular substitute for pasta, which is usually heavy in carbohydrates. If prepared properly, you can enjoy a nice and flavorful plate of pasta without having to feel guilty.
As you are probably aware, you are practically spoiled for choice when it comes to pasta recipes. You can combine your spaghetti squash with marinara sauce, pesto, or traditional spaghetti sauce.
It also serves to complement the flavors of your pasta staples like garlic and parmesan.
Freezing Spaghetti Squash
Before anything else, you need to remember that freezing food will not make your food any better. That said, if you want great tasting food to come out of the freezer, you need to ensure that the stuff you are putting in is fresh and of great quality.
That said, you need to look at the spaghetti squash itself. Its texture, color, and firmness should tell you a lot.
For instance, you need to look for a vegetable that is firm to the touch and heavy for its size. At the same time, you will want to avoid those with cracks, damaged stems, and soft spots.
Be sure to remember these tips before you stick them in the freezer.
However, before you can start the process of preparing your spaghetti squash for the freezer, there are a couple of things you need to have. Listed below are the things you’ll need:
- Baking sheet
- Straining bowl/colander
- Large mixing bowl
- Freezer bags or containers
- Sharp cutting knife
- Spaghetti squash
How to Freeze Spaghetti Squash
Once you have gathered all the materials, you can now proceed to the process itself. Be sure to follow the steps presented below:
- Prepare your Squash – The first step is preparing the spaghetti squash. To do so, you will need to cut it in half lengthwise. Once that is done, you can proceed to scoop out the seeds. You can set the squash seeds aside and roast them later if you wish.
- Cook the Spaghetti Squash – Now, you can proceed to bake the spaghetti squash. To do so, place them your baking sheet with the cut side up. Put in the oven at 400 F for 30 minutes. Afterward, make sure that the squash is tender then allow it to cool.
- Turn into Strands – Now, you will need to turn the vegetable’s flesh into strands. Just run a fork lengthwise through the vegetable’s flesh and watch it separate effortlessly. Remember that you can get as much as 1 1/4 cups of strands for every pound of spaghetti squash.
- Drain the Water from the Squash – Once you have the spaghetti squash in strands, you will need to drain as much water as you can from them. This is a crucial step that you shouldn’t skip. After all, this is the secret to great frozen spaghetti squash. To do this, just put your stands on your strainer placed over a large mixing bowl. Cover and put in the fridge. Let it sit overnight.
- Freezing Your Spaghetti Squash – After straining, you can now proceed to scoop out the drained squash strands. Put them in your freezer bags or container of choice, though we recommend using the bags as it lets you create a more secure vacuum environment for your squash. If you can, take out any excess air from the bag and remember to properly label the bag/container before putting them in the freezer.
It is also worth noting here that it is always a smart idea to divide your spaghetti squash into portions before freezing them. This is a general rule of freezing food that you should never forget as it effectively prevents any unnecessary food wastage.
That said, we recommend that you work with a uniform amount per bag so you can also better track your spaghetti squash consumption. A fail-safe method is working with 2 cups per bag. Just make sure that bag labels also indicate this as well.
Needless to say, freezing is the best way to extend the shelf life of your spaghetti squash.
However, it is not the only way. After all, it is still possible to maximize the longevity of your spaghetti squash even if you are not feeling up to the task of freezing them.
Just remember that the alternative entails curing and drying out the vegetable – a much more tedious and labor-intensive task compared to the one we explained here.
There you have it. The process of freezing spaghetti squash is a straightforward process. It is incredibly easy to do, so be sure to give it a try.
Spaghetti Squash Nutrition
Aside from tasting great, spaghetti squash also comes loaded with a wide array of vitamins, nutrients, and minerals while maintaining a low-calorie count.
Presented below is a breakdown of the nutritional value you can expect from a 155g serving of cooked spaghetti squash:
Nutrients | Amount |
Carbohydrates | 10 g |
Fat | 0.5 g |
Protein | 1 g |
Fiber | 2.2 g |
Vitamin C | 9% of RDI* |
Vitamin B6 | 8% of RDI |
Manganese | 8% of RDI |
Niacin | 6% of RDI |
Potassium | 5% of RDI |
Pantothenic Acid | 6% of RDI |
TOTAL CALORIE COUNT | 42 |
RDI – Recommended Daily Intake
Needless to say, having a steady source of these nutrients is one of the most important reasons to freeze any extra spaghetti squash you may have lying around.
There are also a wide array of ways to better optimize the potential health benefits of this vegetable.
For instance, pairing it with other nutritious foods is always a good idea. Its flavor profile and nutritional contents make it the perfect ingredient to add to your heart-healthy fats and lean proteins. You can even mix it in with other vegetables.
In addition to this, they also serve as the perfect low-calorie alternative to a wide array of dishes and recipes, if you are looking to start eating healthier.
Benefits of Regularly Eating Spaghetti Squash
As clearly shown in the chart above, spaghetti squash is particularly dense with different kinds of nutrients despite being low in calories.
So what are the specific health benefits that come with eating spaghetti squash?
- Healthy Diet – Aside from high levels of vitamin C, vitamin B6, Manganese, and Fiber, this vegetable also contains other minerals like Magnesium, Calcium, and Iron among others. Integrating these nutrients into your daily diet will surely benefit you in the long run.
- Safe Weight Loss – Most people trying to lose weight often opt to follow fad diets and restrictive dieting, but eating healthy foods like spaghetti squash will always be a more sustainable option. With its low-calorie count and high-fiber content, it is one of the best options you have when it comes to a healthy weight-loss diet. It does this by safely reducing and controlling your appetite by stabilizing your blood sugar levels.
- Regular Bowel Movement – The chart presented above tells you that spaghetti squash is one of the best sources of fiber out there. For instance, a single 155g serving contains at least 9% of your daily fiber needs. This is roughly 2.2g of fiber. Remember that fiber is a crucial element to maintaining regular bowel movement as it alleviates constipation and promotes a healthy digestive tract.
- Prevent Chronic Diseases – The spaghetti squash is also said to be rich in antioxidants. Remember, these compounds are crucial to your long-term health and may help prevent cell damage. They are also vital in terms of preventing chronic conditions including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
At this point, it is undeniably clear why you should introduce this ingredient into your regular diet. After all, the benefits speak for themselves. Freezing spaghetti squash is one of the most effective ways of doing so.