Time to dig into this healthy gourd.

Digging into a tastyspaghetti squash-based mealis like taking a bite of history.

Spaghetti Squash Nutrition

Spaghetti squash has tons of nutritional benefits.

Spaghetti squash cut in half

Photo: Adobe Stock

It’s low in calories and packed with satiating fiber.

Here’s a look at what’s inside 1 cup of cubed spaghetti squash.

Spaghetti Squash Health Benefits

Keep reading to learn some ways spaghetti squash can improve your overall health.

Slow-Cooker Ragù With Spaghetti Squash Recipe

Caitlin Bensel

Meanwhile, vitamin K helps blood clot properly and is essential in healing wounds.

This helps to promote good digestive health and keep things moving.

Josh Schlottman, a certified personal trainer and nutritionist, suggests finding ways to incorporate some squash every day.

Spaghetti Squash Parmesan

Greg DuPree

It also prevents night blindness.

Boosts Metabolism

Veggies are known to boost your metabolism, and spaghetti squash is no exception.

Spaghetti squash boosts metabolism due to its high B vitamin contentmostly vitamin B6.

Spaghetti Squash Casserole With Ricotta and Spinach

Kana Okada

The beta-carotene and vitamin C in spaghetti squash, for example, help fight oxidative stress and reduce inflammation.

Meanwhile, fiber helps to lower cholesterol and regulate blood sugar, and potassium helps maintain healthy blood pressure.

Spaghetti Squash Recipes

Varner suggests cutting the squash in half lengthwise and removing the seeds.

Drizzle the insides with olive oil, and place the squash cut-side down on a baking sheet.

Once it’s cooled, use a fork to scrape the strands out of the inside of the squash.

“Once cooked, spaghetti squash shreds into spaghetti-like pieces,” Varner explains.

Scroll down for some spaghetti squash recipe ideas.

Spaghetti Squash Parmesan

This vegetarian-friendly dish treats spaghetti squash just like, well, spaghetti.

It is classified as a winter squash, likepumpkin,butternut,acorn, and delicata.

Once cut, spaghetti squash should bekept in the refrigeratorand used within a few days.

The frozen spaghetti squash will last in the freezer for approximately seven months.

(Avoid freezer burn by squeezing as much air as possible out of the bags.)

you’re free to also enjoy spaghetti squash by popping it into the microwave.

Add 1 cup of water to the baking dish about halfway through.

Microwave on high for 15 minutes.

Library of Congress,How did the squash get its name?.Accessed December 17, 2022.

“Squash, winter, spaghetti, raw.”

U.S. Department of Agriculture.

NIH,Vitamin K. Accessed July 28, 2022.

NIH,Vitamin C. Accessed July 28, 2022.

Chan School of Public Health.Nutrition source: Winter squash.

Burnier M.Should we eat more potassium to better control blood pressure in hypertension?.Nephrol Dial Transplant.

2019;34(2):184-193. doi:10.1093/ndt/gfx340

Homoki, K. et al.

“Eating Well During Stressful Times.

“Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.

“Spaghetti Squash.”

University of Delaware Food & Nutrition Education Lab.

“Explore the Store: Spaghetti Squash.”

University of Georgia Health Center.

Bhatia, A. et al.

“Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 2022.

Aune, D. et all.

“The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.