Does Spaghetti Squash Go Bad?

Spaghetti squash is a type of squash with a high nutritional value; when cooked, this squash’s flesh can be separated into noodles like strands so named as spaghetti squash. There are different varieties of the squashes like pumpkin, butternut squash, and spaghetti squash.

This vegetable is rich in vitamins and minerals. They are categorized as winter and summer squashes depending upon the time of harvest. Just like other vegetables, spaghetti squash can go bad. Bacterial growth and mold formation are the reasons that cause spaghetti squash to go bad.

It has high water content and, being rich in minerals, attracts microorganisms. Mold thrives on moisture and, in case you have kept spaghetti squash at a moist place, increases the risk of fungal growth.

How to store spaghetti squash?

Before storing spaghetti squash, you have to get your hands on the fresh one; when you are shopping them in the grocery store, make sure to select the ones with a firm texture, free of spots, no cracks on the surface look fresh.

Then comes the storing of spaghetti squash to make them last longer. You can keep spaghetti squash in the following ways.

Keeping it in a cool and dry place

After buying spaghetti squash in case, you are not planning to cook it. Uncooked spaghetti squash must be stored in a cool and dry place.

Pantry is the best place to keep winter spaghetti squash. The ideal temperature to store spaghetti squash is 15 degrees Celsius. Holding raw spaghetti squash in a moisture-free environment plays a key role in keeping it edible for months.

Dehydrate it before storing

In case you have a couple of spaghetti squash, and you don’t think you’re going to use them up right away, dehydrating spaghetti squash can aid you in such a condition.

Cook the squash and put it in the fridge once it’s nice and cool. Take the fork, separate the noodles strands, and spread all the noodles on the dehydrator plates. Keep them overnight in the dehydrator; once all the water is removed, take drained spaghetti strands out. Place them in a zip lock bag. You can use them in meals whenever you want.

Refrigerate it

You can refrigerate both cooked and raw spaghetti squash. In case you have used some portion spaghetti squash. Place the rest in the refrigerator in a proper way.

Wrap it with plastic foil to absorb the flavors of surrounding if placed unwrap in the fridge. As it is cut, chances are less that it will stay fresh for a long period, so try cooking the rest soon.

If you have cooked the spaghetti squash, you can place the leftover in the fridge by putting it in an airtight container.

Can you freeze spaghetti squash?

Freezing spaghetti squash can increase its shelf life. You can freeze it by taking off the inside seeds. Take freezer-friendly zip lock bags and bag up your spaghetti squash.

You can blanch it before freezing by simmering in hot water for few minutes and then let it cool. Place the zip lock bag in a freezer after removing excess air.

Cooked spaghetti squash can be preserved by removing excess water and placing the drained spaghetti in airtight bags. Squeeze excess air from the airtight bag so that they remain fresh. Place the bag in the freezer. It can stay good for months.

How long does spaghetti squash last?

Winter spaghetti squash lasts way longer than summer ones. They have thick skin, which acts as a barrier between the flesh and environment, keeping them fresh for a long period compared to spaghetti squash harvest in summers.

Raw or uncooked spaghetti squash can last for two to three months in the pantry if kept in a cool, dry place. When choosing spaghetti squash, always select the one with a little bit of stem attached to it.

The reason for this is that if the stem is completely cut off, the flesh inside might get exposed to bacteria and, in turn, result in spoilage. Cooked spaghetti squash can stay good in the refrigerator for 4-5 days, and in case you have cut some portion of it. Placing the rest in a fridge can make it last for 3-5 days. Freezing also helps in stretching the shelf life of spaghetti squash. By following proper storage methods, you can maximize spaghetti squash life.

How to tell if spaghetti squash is bad?

Spaghetti squash can go bad, and consuming bad spaghetti squash can make you sick. Moreover, it won’t taste great as it was fresh. Some ways can help you detect whether spaghetti squash is stale or fresh.

• Always select fresh, firm, and free of blemishes. They should’ve any spots and crack on them.
• Examine the weight of spaghetti squash. Fresh ones are heavy in size. In case they are lightweight, that’s an indication of spaghetti squash turning bad.
• Observe the color of the rind or shell. Fresh ones have a pale yellow color, hard and compact in texture. If they look mushy or squashy, don’t use them.
• Use your olfactory and gustatory senses by smell and taste. You can easily tell whether spaghetti squash is stale or not.

Sources

• Does it go bad
• Eat delights
• Eat by date