If you want to save money and eat fresh spaghetti squash, later on, you can try to freeze it. However, you need to make sure that you cook it first. You can do this in two ways: you can microwave it or place it in the refrigerator or freezer when it is still hot.
After cooking, pierce the squash with a fork to separate the strands. The squash should be put in a colander and placed over a bowl in the fridge. Before putting the squash strands in freezer-safe bags, let the squash sit for the night. Spaghetti squash will stay in top condition in the freezer for around six months.
How to Freeze Spaghetti Squash?
Once you have gathered all the necessary supplies, you may start the process. Make sure you adhere to the instructions listed below:
- Prepare your Squash – The spaghetti squash needs to be prepared first. You’ll need to split it in half lengthwise to accomplish this. After it is finished, you can begin to remove the seeds. You can reserve the squash seeds and roast them later if you’d like.
- Cook the spaghetti squash: At this point, you can start baking the squash. Place them on the baking sheet with the cut side up to do. Thirty minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit in the oven. After that, check to see if the squash is soft before it cools.
- Into Strands – At this point, you must separate the vegetable’s flesh into strands. You may easily separate the vegetable’s flesh by simply running a fork through it lengthwise. Remember that for every pound of spaghetti squash, you can receive up to 1 1/4 cups of strands.
- Drain as Much Water as You Can from the Squash – Once the spaghetti squash has been cut into strands, it is time to drain as much water as you can from it. You shouldn’t omit this important step. This is, after all, the key to delicious frozen spaghetti squash. Position your supports on your filter over a sizable mixing bowl. Place in the fridge with a cover. Allow it to sit all night.
- Spaghetti squash that has been frozen can now be removed from the filter after being drained. Place them in your preferred container or freezer bag; however, since bags allow you to create a more secure vacuum environment for your squash, we advise using bags. Before placing them in the freezer, remove any extra air from the bag and ensure the bag or container is appropriately labeled.
It is also important to point out that cutting your spaghetti squash into parts before freezing them is always a good idea. It would be best never to break this basic rule when freezing food because it efficiently reduces unwanted food waste.
To effectively track your spaghetti squash consumption, we advise you to use a consistent amount per bag. Working with two cups per bag is a fail-safe strategy. Just be sure to include this information on the bag labels as well.
Freezing your spaghetti squash’s shelf life is the best way to increase it.
It is not, however, the sole option. After all, even if you don’t feel up to the chore of freezing them, there are other ways to extend the life of your spaghetti squash.
Just keep in mind that the alternate involves curing and drying the vegetable, which is a considerably more time-consuming and labor-intensive process than the one we described here.
You now have it. Spaghetti squash can be easily frozen using this method. Give it a try because it is quite simple to accomplish.
Thawing Frozen Spaghetti Squash in the Microwave
Thawing frozen spaghetti squash in the microwave can be done in two ways. First, you can microwave the squash for five minutes at 100% power, then allow it to rest for five minutes. Once it’s cool enough to handle, you can slice the squash lengthwise. This will allow it to cook evenly. After that, you can steam or pan-fry the squash in olive oil.
Squash is a great low-carb substitute for pasta. Its mild flavor and texture make it ideal for blending with different types of dishes. It’s a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and manganese. It’s also a great source of vitamins and minerals and has a low-calorie count.
You can freeze spaghetti squash in smaller portions and then thaw them later in the microwave. Before freezing, remove any excess moisture from the squash to avoid freezer burn. You can also cut the squash into bite-sized pieces, which will help you reduce the time needed to prepare your dinner. This won’t compromise the taste and will save you time.
Storage of Raw Spaghetti Squash in the Freezer
Before storing raw spaghetti squash in the freezer, you need to ensure it’s completely cool. This will prevent the squash from soaking up too much moisture, which can cause a freezer burn. It will also help ensure that the spaghetti squash remains in good shape when thawed.
To get the most out of your spaghetti squash, store it at 55oF or 60oF. This temperature will ensure maximum storage life. However, most of us don’t have a root cellar or a cool garage, so we tend to stick with the one-month storage time. Don’t worry if the squash starts to get discolored. This is just a minor flaw that you can ignore for Instagram purposes.
Similarly, cooked spaghetti squash will last about three to four days when stored in an airtight container or a lidded pot in the fridge. Before cooking, allow the squash to cool to room temperature. This should only take two hours.
Raw spaghetti squash can also be stored in the freezer if you’ve dried it out. To do this, press out any excess moisture from the squash and put it into a large bowl overnight. You can then reheat it whenever you need it. It won’t last as long as cooked spaghetti squash, but it will still be safe to eat.
Room Temperature Storage
Your spaghetti squash can also be kept at room temperature.
Depending on how your squash was handled while being transported to the store where you purchased it, you can keep it at room temperature for up to three months if it is whole and uncut.
The temperature and humidity of your kitchen will also affect how long you can keep your whole squash at room temperature. It shouldn’t be a problem as long as your kitchen doesn’t become overly hot and muggy.
Squash that has been cut and is either raw or cooked won’t remain on the counter for very long.
You might be able to keep cooked squash at room temperature, covered, for a day, depending on the temperature of your kitchen.
Any longer than that, however, could result in the development of bacteria that might make you ill.
Pickling or Canning
To increase the shelf life of your spaghetti squash, you may be in for a surprise if you opt to pickle or can it. With this storage technique, your spaghetti squash will only last in the fridge for about a month.
So feel free to utilize this method if you enjoy the canned or pickled squash flavor. You would be better off selecting one of the other alternatives on this list if your main goal in selecting this preservation technique above the others was to extend the shelf life of your squash.
How do you Defrost Frozen Spaghetti?
Spaghetti may be easily defrosted in various ways without affecting its texture.
- The spaghetti should ideally be moved from the freezer to the refrigerator overnight. The following morning, the spaghetti should be prepared for reheating.
- Leave the spaghetti to defrost at room temperature by removing the consumable portions from the freezer to the kitchen countertop. The spaghetti takes four to five hours to defrost. After that, you can reheat them before eating.
- Alternatively, you can submerge the freezer bag or the container in cold water to expedite the thawing process. After defrosting, we advise eating the frozen spaghetti at room temperature immediately.
- You can microwave the spaghetti if you need it right away by moving it from the freezer to the microwave. You can reheat the spaghetti at the same time and have it ready in a matter of minutes.
Reference: Freezing Unusual Fruits and Vegetables
How to Slice your Spaghetti Squash in Half?
The walls of spaghetti squash are thick, making it challenging to cut through. You’ll need a nice, non-slip cutting board and a sharp chef’s knife. To hold your cutting board in place, set it down on a paper towel or kitchen towel that has been mildly dampened.
You must first establish a level surface to cut through the squash securely. Here is how I go about it (be careful and watch the video below for examples):
- First, place the squash on the cutting board horizontally. With your non-dominant hand, firmly grasp the squash.
- Cut off the top with a chef’s knife with your dominant hand. Keep your hand a few inches away from where you’ll be slicing because we’ll cut off the tip-top and bottom edges. Once more, maintain your hand safe from the knife, turn the squash 180 degrees, and cut off the bottom.
- Once erect, place the squash’s widest end against the non-slip cutting board. We now have a secure position from which to slice. Beginning from the top, slice downward. Never place your hands near a knife or in a dangerous position.
- If you ever feel uncomfortable using this method, stop and ask someone for assistance. Security first!
Conclusion
Freezing spaghetti squash is a practical storage choice for this type of fruit. Squash can be frozen raw and cooked; however, cooked squash will keep better in the freezer and won’t alter in texture as much. You can pickle your squash, keep it at room temperature, or refrigerate it if you prefer alternative methods of preserving it.
