Healthy Habits: Pasta substitute

Because healthy eating is so important and because God has arranged my life so that I am constantly learning healthy facts and hoping to develop healthy habits, I decided to share ideas for simple ways to be healthy. My ideas are not originals, just a processing of lots of info into a form you can use. I am going to try and post this Healthy Habits entry once a week or so. Of course, I try to post Tidbits once a week and that hasn't happened. I'll work on it.

I hate squash. Raw zucchini is tolerable. And pureed winter squash makes a good healthy substitute for ricotta cheese in a lasagna, but I generally avoid squash. Spaghetti squash though. Yum. The texture is different from the other squashes. And it fascinates me to watch this pumpkin-like thing turn into noodle strands without effort. Almost as cool as a pomegranate.

Why eat squash? If you don't dose it in butter and brown sugar it is low calories and high in fiber. That means you will feel full longer and it might help your bowel movements if that's an issue.

Here's a favorite thing to do for an easy dinner. Buy a spaghetti squash, cut it in half lengthwise. Remove the pulp and the seeds. Put the halves in a baking pan with about 1/2 cup of water. Bake in oven for 30-40 minutes or microwave for 8-9 until soft. Let cool a little, then scrap out the squash. It will come out in cool spaghetti-like strips. Serve with your favorite spaghetti sauce. Everyone in my family will eat this meal. I can feed all four us with one medium size squash. You can also cook the spaghetti squash whole which can be easier than trying to get a knife through a hard squash, but it takes all day in a slow cooker( with a little water) or an hour in the oven at 400. Make certain to pierce the rind in a few places so you don't get any explosions. And don't burn yourself removing the seeds and pulp. I usually cut my squash in half prior to baking, though sometimes I need T's help.

And for your info, apparently winter squash is the most nutritious member of the squash family. It's high in potassium, beta-carotene and vitamin A. And a squash is really a fruit though most nutritionists label it a starchy vegetable. So how do you cook squash? What I really mean is does anyone eat squash without smothering it in butter and brown sugar? Happy eating.