In the culinary world, there are hundreds of fruits and vegetables that often get overlooked, from horned melons to romanesco broccoli.
In fact, one of the most obscure fruits in the world is the spaghetti squash, which is famous for its stringy flesh.
However, this does not mean that spaghetti squash is completely unknown, as the fruit has grown in popularity due to the rise of veganism.
These days, many people use spaghetti squash to make delicious and healthy meals, although this can have its setbacks.
When cooking spaghetti squash, you may find yourself left with a large portion that needs to be kept fresh, which can be difficult if you have limited room in your kitchen.
So if you want to know if you can freeze spaghetti squash, then you have come to the right place.
In the following article, we are going to teach you how to freeze spaghetti squash to keep the fruit fresh and nutritious.
We will also take a look at how you can thaw the fruit and what recipes it tastes good in.
So if you want to learn more about this amazing produce, this article has everything you need to get started…
Can You Freeze Spaghetti Squash
If you have ever wondered if you can freeze spaghetti squash, then this article has everything you need to answer that question.
In short, freezing spaghetti squash is one of the best ways to extend its shelf life, while also getting the most out of your fruit and vegetables.
When it comes to freezing a spaghetti squash, you will need to bake it in the oven first, as this is considered the best method for this particular fruit.
However, this does not mean that all squash can be frozen the same way. For example, butternut squash should never be cooked before it is placed in the freezer.
Baking the spaghetti squash first helps to deactivate the enzymes in the fruit, which can cause the squash to become mushy once it has been defrosted.
Unlike acorn squash, which is known for its dense flesh, spaghetti squash is characterized by its fibrous strings, which are said to resemble cooked spaghetti.
Once it has been frozen, spaghetti squash will retain its flavor and quality quite well, although this usually depends on how the fruit has been stored and prepared.
The only downside is that the frozen squash may yield a softer texture, although the difference is not very noticeable once it has been incorporated into a hearty meal.
How To Freeze Spaghetti Squash
Fortunately, freezing spaghetti squash is an incredibly straightforward process and can be done in your own kitchen.
To begin preparing the spaghetti squash, you will need to preheat your oven to 375 degrees (F) before cutting the squash lengthwise into two halves. Make sure to scoop out the seeds and leave them on the side until later.
Rinse the seeds with cold water and dry them before roasting the seeds in the oven to make a nutritious snack.
Alternatively, you can also place the seeds into a glass container or paper bag and keep them for the next planting season.
Take the two squash halves and place them on a baking sheet with the flesh exposed.
Sprinkle a pinch of salt on top of the squash and allow it to rest for around 15 – 20 minutes before patting them dry with a clean towel.
The salt will work to absorb any excess moisture in the fruit, which will help once it has been frozen.
Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the squash for 30 – 40 minutes or until the flesh is tender.
When the squash has been cooked, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool at room temperature.
Once the squash is cool, take a fork and scrape it lengthwise through the flesh to separate the strands.
Transfer the strands to a colander and cover with a dish towel before setting it in a large mixing bowl to catch the water.
Place the colander in the refrigerator and allow the water to drain for 12 hours. Make sure to drain as much water as possible, as the moisture could make the squash mushy once it has been defrosted.
When the strands have been drained, transfer the squash to freezer-safe bags and place them in the freezer.
For the best results, we recommend using several bags as this will help to avoid refreezing the fruit.
If you want to prevent freezer burn, it is advisable to get as much air as you can out of the freezer bag before sealing it.
This can be done by using a vacuum sealer or by placing a straw in the zip and sucking the air out.
How To Thaw Spaghetti Squash
When you have frozen your spaghetti squash, it is recommended that you cook it within 6 – 8 months. In fact, the sooner you cook it, the better the taste and texture.
Thawing frozen spaghetti squash can be done by transferring the fruit to your refrigerator and letting it defrost overnight. However, if that is not possible, you can also thaw the squash using a microwave, steamer, instant pot or stove.
During the thawing process, it is advisable to avoid using a slow cooker, as this will leave the food at an unsafe temperature for too long. Instead, you must wait for the fruit to be properly defrosted before placing it in your slow cooker.
If you wish to microwave your frozen squash, this can be done by adding a drizzle of olive oil to the strands and placing them on medium heat for 45 seconds.
If the fruit still hasn’t defrosted, you can repeat this process to reach your desired results.
When using a steamer, you can heat the squash for around 5 minutes to defrost the fruit. In an instant pot, the process should only take about 2 minutes.
However, if you wish to use your stovetop, you will need to heat a skillet over low-medium heat or boil a small saucepan filled with water.
For the best results, you can simmer the squash for 5 minutes or fry the strands in olive oil until they are crispy.
Can You Freeze Uncooked Spaghetti Squash?
While it is possible to freeze raw spaghetti squash, it is not always seen as the best method, as cutting the squash into cubes could ruin the fibrous strands.
Placing a whole spaghetti squash in your freezer can also take up a lot of space, which means it will take longer to thaw and separate the strands when you are ready to cook it.
There’s also another reason why you should cook the squash before placing it in the freezer.
As we previously mentioned, raw fruits and vegetables contain enzymes that activate the aging process, which means you will need to destroy them to keep the fruit fresh.
This can be done by cooking the fruit beforehand, which stops the enzymes from aging the fruit while it is frozen.
Final Thoughts
Freezing spaghetti squash is a simple process that requires the fruit to be cooked before it is placed in the freezer.
While it is possible to freeze raw spaghetti squash, this does not stop the aging process, which means the fruit will continue to rot while it is frozen.
For the best results, you must always bake the squash before placing it in the freezer, while also removing the strands and placing them in sealable bags.