Spaghetti Squash Question...

I made Spaghetti squash last night to use as a replacement for pasta.  I baked it at 350 for 45 mins or so.  Then tried to use a fork to make the "meat" of the squash spaghetti-like, but It got mushy and just mushed up!

What did I do wrong?  Have any suggestion?

My husband has loved all the recipes I've made so  far until now!  He decided he didn't like the texture so he went ahead and made him some whole wheat pasta.  I decided to eat the squash, (starches and fast foods are trigger foods for me). The flavor was really nice just the texture was a little off. 

But on a positive note my 18 month old Kept saying, "MMMmmm" after every bite and was climbing on top of me to get more! LOL

You either cooked it too long or added too much water.  Do you cut it in half, place face down on a cookie sheet and add a little water to the pan?  If not, it works great, but it only takes about 20 minutes to cook this way, so watch it closely.  I've had this happen before and I think the flavor is even better, but yeah, it definitely resembles baby food, yuk.  :)

Okay I think I cooked it way too long!!!  I did cut it in half and put it face down in a pan but I didn't add water and I cooked it for a long while b/c it was pretty big... I kept testing it by poking it with a fork (through the skin but I didn't think it was tender enough).

Does it  normally come out Spaghetti-Like? and Is it kinda difficult to run the fork through it?

It definitely comes out spaghettie-like.  It's pretty cool because if you cook it just right the strings almost have a little crunch to them so it doesn't taste like a mushy mess.  It isn't hard to run the fork through when it's done, but to test it don't go through the skin, flip it over and just sick your fork into the egge to see if it pulls away.  As soon as you can get it to pull away it's pretty well done.  Keep trying, believe me you'll love it.  It makes great leftovers too, but don't try to freeze it, when you re-heat it you get a mushy mess then too.  Wierd!

If you need a good sauce, try making spaghetti sauce, then brown Italian Turkey sausage (out of casing) in a pan with a little olive oil.  Add that to the sauce and voila, you have an awesome meat sauce.  This is the only way I eat my spaghetti squash.
Good Luck!

Thanks so much for the help!  I will definately try again!!!

I do use ground turkey but I also add mushrooms, onions, yellow squash, and zucchini to my marinara or spaghetti sauce!  The whole family loves it, and its a yummy way to get them to eat their veggies!

Thanks again for the help!

I always cook mine in the microwave. ***** with a fork all over a few times, then nuke it for 8 minutes. Turn over, then microwave for another 8 minutes. Check to see if done-if a knife slides in easily , it is. If not, keep cooking for 3 minutes at a time until done. Then, slice in half, scoop out the seeds, then take the squash out with a fork-it'll separate into strands. Toss with salt and pepper and you're good to go!

Thanks a whole Lot!  That may be the option I take the next time around, since I messed this one up! LOL

Your awesome!

 

Nuke it    Face down on a plate with a little water... Will come out crunchier