If you have not tried spaghetti squash, you are in for a treat. Spaghetti squash is pale yellow or cream in color, oval like a watermelon, and looks like spaghetti when cooked, with a mild, sweet, nutty flavor. In fact, it is a good substitute for spaghetti if you want a low calorie, low carbohydrate alternative or if you are a vegan. Storing spaghetti squash is easy so you can enjoy it all year around.
Room Temperature Storage
Store uncut spaghetti squash at room temperature in a dimly lit location, up to one month.
Keep your squash dry, like in a dry basement or pantry. Humidity is damaging to spaghetti squash--it also stores best at a humidity up to 60 percent.
Leave your spaghetti squash on a counter in a dry, sunny spot until it ripens, if your squash is still green.
Refrigerator Storage
Wrap cooked pieces of spaghetti squash in plastic. Store your squash in the refrigerator for up to two days.
Store whole, uncooked spaghetti squash in your refrigerator up to two weeks. Understand it will deteriorate faster because of the moisture in your refrigerator.
Place your spaghetti squash away from fruits like avocados, melons, pears and apples. They emit ethylene gas, a plant hormone, which spoil produce like spaghetti squash.
Freezer Storage
Cook spaghetti squash before freezing it. Freeze pieces of cooked spaghetti squash by wrapping it in plastic. Place the wrapped pieces in a freezer bag with a zipper.
Rake cooked spaghetti squash halves lengthwise with a fork, separating the flesh into long, spaghetti strands. Place the strands into freezer bags with a zipper.
Squeeze all of the air out of the freezer storage bags and seal. Make sure you date and label the bags. Freeze.
Store cooked spaghetti squash in sealed, airtight containers, as an option. Date and label the containers. Freeze.
Unthaw spaghetti squash strands or spaghetti pieces partially. Steam about eight to 15 minutes until firm and tender.
Tip
Make sure the spaghetti squash stem is completely dry before storing. The stem should also be at least an inch long.
Warning
Avoid buying spaghetti squash with bruises, cracks and moldy spots on it.
Do not buy spaghetti squash with a soft skin--it means the squash is immature or not a good quality. The skin should always be hard and smooth.
Never microwave a whole spaghetti squash, it may explode.
References
Writer Bio
Chyrene Pendleton has been a business owner and newsletter editor for more than seven years. She is a freelance writer with over 25 years experience and teaches a variety of topics, including alternative health, hair care and metaphysics. Pendleton is a certified television show producer, radio talk-show host and producer, and a computer programmer with a bachelor's degree in computer science.