Spaghetti squash cut in half Adobe Stock Digging into a tasty spaghetti squash-based mea l is like taking a bite of history. According to the Library of Congress , squashes are one of the oldest known crops, dating back some 10,000 years in places like Mexico. And really, they’ve […]
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Digging into a tasty spaghetti squash-based meal is like taking a bite of history.
According to the Library of Congress, squashes are one of the oldest known crops, dating back some 10,000 years in places like Mexico. And really, they've never wavered in popularity since. Beyond being a darn good addition to any meal, this delicious gourd also comes with some major nutritional benefits. Here's what you need to know about spaghetti squash and how to start incorporating it into your daily meals.
History of Spaghetti Squash
"Since squashes are gourds, they most likely served as containers or utensils because of their hard shells," the Library of Congress explains. "The seeds and flesh later became an important part of the pre-Columbian Indian diet in both South and North America. De Soto, Coronado, and Cartier all saw 'melons' (probably squash) in the Americas."
As for the name, the Library of Congress notes that the word "squash" comes from the "Narragansett Native American word 'askutasquash', which means 'eaten raw or uncooked.'" Though spaghetti squash is native to both Mexico and Central America, it is now grown all over the world. It is classified as a winter squash, just like other squash varieties including pumpkin, butternut, acorn, and delicata.
Spaghetti Squash Nutritional Benefits
Like many other squash varieties, spaghetti squash has numerous nutritional benefits. In addition to being packed with nutrients, the hearty veggie is also low in calories and full of satiating fiber. Keep reading to learn more about the ways in which spaghetti squash can improve your overall health.
It's packed with vitamins
Kimberly Asman, the dietitian for Weis Markets, explains that spaghetti squash is a great vegetable to include in your diet if it's something you particularly enjoy. Why? It's loaded with vitamins C and K. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, which means it can boost your immune system and protect your memory as you age, among other things, while vitamin K helps blood clot properly and is essential in healing wounds.
