What Is the Origin of Spaghetti Squash?
What Is the Origin of Spaghetti Squash?. Squash has long been thought of as a New World crop, along with the Native American staples of beans and corn. However, while many squash varieties are native to the Americas, spaghetti squash has its origin in the Far East.
Squash has long been thought of as a New World crop, along with the Native American staples of beans and corn. However, while many squash varieties are native to the Americas, spaghetti squash has its origin in the Far East.
History
Vegetable spaghetti, as it is sometimes called, originated in China. It was introduced to Japan in 1921 by a Chinese agricultural research facility, according to the Kanda Seed Company. It was first sold commercially by the Sakata Seed Company of Japan; the Burpee Seed Company brought it to the United States in 1936, where it gained limited popularity. It was widely grown in Victory Gardens during World War II, but only became an American favorite during the late 20th century.
Benefits & Uses
Spaghetti squash i named for the spaghetti-like strands that are loosened from the cooked skin. This low-carb vegetable is popular with dieters as a substitute for pasta. It is also low in calories and fat.
Names & Varieties
As seed growers develop hybrid varieties of the squash, interesting names appear on the table. Orangetti, Stripetti and Hasta-La-Pasta all have different flavor variations and growing habits, but are still basically the "vegetable spaghetti."
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