Spaghetti squash, also known as winter keeper squash, is an interesting vegetable because when cooked, it separates into pieces that resemble, in both consistency and taste, the spaghetti type of pasta. Because of this, spaghetti squash is popular for use in cooking especially when it is used in dishes that call for spaghetti or, when used as a unique addition to salads.
Spaghetti squash is a member of the winter squash family.
This family also includes pumpkins and butternut squash. Because it can be stored for long periods of time, the natives of both North America and South America used spaghetti squash as one of their dietary staples for many centuries. You can purchase spaghetti squash in many grocery stores as well as in specialty vegetable stores. Additionally, spaghetti squash seeds can be purchased for home growing through seed catalogs and at some garden centers. When purchasing fresh spaghetti squash, select only those squash that are heavy and firm and that have a hard outer shell.