Spaghetti squash facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spaghetti squash |
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Fruit of a yellow-skinned cultivar
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| Species | Cucurbita pepo |
| Origin | North America and Central America |
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
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| Energy | 130 kJ (31 kcal) |
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6.91 g
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| Sugars | 2.76 g |
| Dietary fiber | 1.5 g |
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0.57 g
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Protein
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0.64 g
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| Vitamins | Quantity
%DV†
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| Vitamin A equiv.
beta-Carotene
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1%
6 μg
1%
64 μg |
| Thiamine (B1) |
3%
0.037 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) |
2%
0.018 mg |
| Niacin (B3) |
6%
0.95 mg |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) |
7%
0.36 mg |
| Vitamin B6 |
8%
0.101 mg |
| Folate (B9) |
3%
12 μg |
| Vitamin C |
3%
2.1 mg |
| Vitamin E |
1%
0.13 mg |
| Minerals | Quantity
%DV†
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| Calcium |
2%
23 mg |
| Iron |
2%
0.31 mg |
| Magnesium |
3%
12 mg |
| Manganese |
6%
0.125 mg |
| Phosphorus |
2%
12 mg |
| Potassium |
4%
108 mg |
| Zinc |
2%
0.19 mg |
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Link to USDA Database entry
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| †Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults. | |
The spaghetti squash (Cucurbita pepo) is a cool type of winter squash. It's shaped like an oval and has seeds inside. You can find it in colors from light ivory to bright yellow or orange. The orange ones have more carotene, which is good for you!
When you cut open a raw spaghetti squash, its inside looks solid. But here's the cool part: when you cook it, the flesh turns into long, stringy ribbons. These ribbons look just like spaghetti noodles! That's how it got its name.
Contents
What's Inside Spaghetti Squash?
Spaghetti squash is a real superfood! It's packed with important nutrients that help your body stay healthy.
Vitamins and Minerals
It has lots of folic acid, which helps your body make new cells. It also contains potassium, which is good for your heart and muscles. You'll find vitamin A in it, which helps your eyes, and vitamin C, which boosts your immune system.
Low in Calories
This squash is also low in calories. A serving of about one cup (155 grams) has only about 42 calories. This makes it a great choice if you're looking for healthy and light meals.
How to Enjoy Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti squash is super versatile and fun to eat. Its unique texture makes it a great substitute for pasta.
Cooking It Up
To cook spaghetti squash, you can bake it, boil it, or microwave it. Once it's soft, you simply cut it open and use a fork to scrape out the "spaghetti" strands. They come out easily!
Delicious Dishes
You can top these squash strands with your favorite pasta sauce, like marinara or pesto. It's also yummy with butter and herbs, or mixed into stir-fries. Some people even use it in casseroles or as a side dish. It's a tasty way to get your veggies!
Where Does It Come From?
Spaghetti squash originally comes from North America and Central America. People have been growing and eating squashes in these regions for thousands of years. Today, you can find spaghetti squash in grocery stores all over the world.
Images for kids
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Spaghetti squash (left) illustration from the Japanese agricultural encyclopedia Seikei Zusetsu (1804)
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Cooked
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Male flower
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Female flower
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Being sold at a Greengrocer in Japan
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Served with marinara sauce
