Editing Spaghetti squash

{{short description|Group of cultivars}}
{{Infobox cultivar
| name = Spaghetti squash
| image = Starr 070730-7822 Cucurbita pepo.jpg
| image_caption = Fruit of a yellow-skinned cultivar
| species = ''[[Cucurbita pepo]]''
| group = 
| origin = [[Asia]]
}}

{{nutritional value | name=Spaghetti squash, raw
| kJ=130
| protein=0.64 g
| fat=0.57 g
| carbs=6.91 g
| fiber=1.5 g
| sugars=2.76 g
| calcium_mg=23
| iron_mg=0.31
| magnesium_mg=12
| phosphorus_mg=12
| potassium_mg=108
| zinc_mg=0.19
| manganese_mg=0.125
| vitC_mg=2.1
| thiamin_mg=0.037
| riboflavin_mg=0.018
| niacin_mg=0.95
| pantothenic_mg=0.36
| vitB6_mg=0.101
| folate_ug=12
| vitA_ug=6
| betacarotene_ug=64
| vitE_mg=0.13
| source_usda = 1
| note=[https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169298/nutrients Link to USDA Database entry]
}}

'''Spaghetti squash''' or '''vegetable spaghetti''' is a group of [[cultivar]]s of ''[[Cucurbita pepo]]'' subsp. ''pepo''.<ref>{{GRIN | ''Cucurbita pepo'' | 12606 | access-date = 2015-01-31}}</ref> They are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colours, including ivory, yellow and orange, with orange having the highest amount of carotene. Its center contains many large seeds. When raw, the flesh is solid and similar to other raw squash. When cooked, the meat of the fruit falls away from the flesh in ribbons or strands that look like and can be used as an alternative to [[spaghetti]].

== Preparation ==
Spaghetti squash can be cooked in a variety of ways, including baking, boiling, steaming, air frying,<ref>{{Cite web |last=heather |date=2020-06-25 |title=Spaghetti Squash in Air Fryer |url=https://www.foodlovinfamily.com/air-fryer-spaghetti-squash/ |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=Food Lovin Family |language=en-US}}</ref> or microwaving.<ref name="howtocook">[http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/cooking/a/spagsquash.htm How to Cook Spaghetti Squash]</ref> Once cooked the flesh of this fruit can be prepared in a way that its “strands” look like and are as long as traditional spaghetti noodles.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://eatwithinyourmeans.com/how-to-cook-spaghetti-squash/|title=How to Cook Spaghetti Squash {{!}} Eat Within Your Means|date=2017-01-17|work=Eat Within Your Means|access-date=2017-11-19|language=en-US}}</ref> It can be served with or without sauce as a substitute for pasta, and its seeds can be roasted, similar to [[pumpkin]] seeds.{{Cn|date=February 2021}}

== Nutrition ==
Spaghetti squash contains many nutrients, including [[folic acid]], [[potassium]], and [[beta carotene]].  It is low in [[calories]], averaging 42 calories per 1-cup (155&nbsp;grams) serving.

== Cultivation ==
[[File:Item 938308.jpg|thumb|Spaghetti squash (left) illustration from the Japanese agricultural encyclopedia [[Seikei Zusetsu]] (1804)]]
Spaghetti squash is relatively easy to grow, thriving in gardens or pots.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allwoodwork.com/article/gardening/spaghetti_squash_a_vegetable_with_a_suprise_inside.html |title=Spaghetti squash: a vegetable with a surprise inside |author=Liz Roberts |website=AllWoodWork.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216122712/http://www.allwoodwork.com/article/gardening/spaghetti_squash_a_vegetable_with_a_suprise_inside.html |archive-date=2012-02-16}}</ref>

The plants are [[Monoecy|monoecious]], with male and female flowers on the same plant.{{cn|date=December 2022}} Male flowers have long, thin stems that extend upwards from the vine. Female flowers are shorter, with a small round growth underneath the petals. This round growth turns into the squash if the flower is successfully [[pollination|pollinated]].{{Cn|date=February 2021}}

<gallery>
File:Spaghetti Squash Cooked 500.jpg|Cooked
File:Spaghetti Squash Prepared 500.jpg|Prepared
File:Male spaghetti squash flower.jpg|Male flower
File:Female spaghetti squash flower.jpg|Female flower
File:Somenkabocha - squash - Japan - September 2014.jpg|Being sold at a [[Greengrocer]] in [[Japan]]
File:Spaghetti Squash Marinara.jpg|Served with marinara sauce
</gallery>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Cookbook}}
* {{cite book | chapter-url = https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/ncnu02/v5-445.html | author = A.H. Beany | author2 = P.J. Stoffella | author3 = N. Roe | author4 = D.H. Picha | date = 2002 | chapter = Production, fruit quality, and nutritional value of spaghetti squash | pages = 445–448 |editor1=J. Janick |editor2=A. Whipkey | title = Trends in new crops and new uses | publisher = ASHS Press | location = Alexandria, VA}}

{{Squashes and pumpkins}}

[[Category:Squashes and pumpkins]]