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Stir Fry Spaghetti Squash with Shrimp

Fusion, Side Dish, Vegetables

This delicious Stir-Fry Spaghetti Squash with Shrimp is a twist on the classic Jiu Hu Char (Stir Fry Jicama), often served as a filling for lettuce wraps.

This delicious Stir-Fry Spaghetti Squash with Shrimp is a twist on the classic Jiu Hu Char (stir Fry Jicama), often served as a filling for lettuce wraps. | RotiNRice.com

Spaghetti squash is a long oblong winter squash with a bright yellow rind. It actually looks more like a melon than a squash. The flesh is creamy yellow in color and solid when raw but falls away from the fruit in strands or ribbons like spaghetti when cooked. The best way to cook it is to bake, boil, or microwave the squash to get nice long strands of flesh.

Spaghetti Squash – A Substitute for Gluten Free Pasta

Tutti-frutti Spa-ghetti - a tasty salad with an unusual combination of spaghetti squash, kiwi fruit, pomegranate, walnuts, and shaved parmesan cheese. | RotiNRice.com This nutritious squash is low in calories and can be used as a substitute for gluten free pasta. The flesh is very mild tasting and works well with most sauces. I really should use it more often in my cooking. The only other recipe on this blog that uses this ingredient is Tutti-frutti Spa-ghetti, a salad I created on a whim.

World on a Plate

With the New Year just round the corner, this month’s theme for World on a Plate is Auspicious Food for a Prosperous New Year. I am representing Malaysia and the Chinese community there have many different dishes that are considered auspicious because they are puns on Chinese words.

The Cantonese word for shrimp is Ha which sounds like laughter. This represents happiness. Lettuce wraps are also commonly served as the word Sang Choy literally means growth in riches and wealth. In this dish, I used both shrimp and lettuce to ring in a New Year with much happiness and rising fortune. 🙂

This delicious Stir-Fry Spaghetti Squash with Shrimp is a twist on the classic Jiu Hu Char (stir Fry Jicama), often served as a filling for lettuce wraps. | RotiNRice.com

A Twist on a Classic

This Stir-Fry Spaghetti Squash with Shrimps is a twist on a Nyonya classic. Jiu Hu Char or Warm Jicama and Cabbage Salad is a popular dish at my parents’ home. It is a mainstay for our Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner. It uses bang kuang/jicama as the main ingredient. In this version, I have substituted the finely shredded jicama with spaghetti squash. I was delighted that the result was surprisingly similar.

This Warm Jicama and Cabbage Salad is an adapted version of the Jiu Hu Char using shrimp instead of pork belly and dried cuttle fish strips. | RotiNRice.com

Similar Tools Used in Making This Stir-Fry Spaghetti Squash with Shrimp

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy here.

Asian Kitchen Carbon Steel Wok Stir Fry Pan, 12-inch
Classic Series Carbon Steel Wok, 14-inch
Stainless Steel Professional Wok Turner Spatula

This delicious Stir-Fry Spaghetti Squash with Shrimps is a twist on the classic Jiu Hu Char (stir Fry Jicama), often served as a filling for lettuce wraps. | RotiNRice.com

Stir-Fry Spaghetti Squash with Shrimp

This delicious Stir-Fry Spaghetti Squash with Shrimp is a twist on the classic Jiu Hu Char (stir Fry Jicama), often served as a filling for lettuce wraps.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Fusion
Keyword: stir fry spaghetti squash
Servings: 6
Calories: 197kcal
Author: Linda Ooi

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 spaghetti squash (about 3 lbs/1.4 kgs)
  • 3 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 onion (thinly sliced)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 10 oz shrimp (peeled and deveined) (300g)
  • 2 carrots (julienned)
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 green onions (thinly sliced)

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Split the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out seeds. Place on a baking dish with cut side down and bake for 40 to 50 minutes.
  • Remove spaghetti squash from oven. When cool enough to handle, use a fork to gently scrape around the edge of the squash to shred the pulp into strands.
    Stir-Fry Spaghetti Squash with Shrimps-6
  • In a wok or large fry pan, heat vegetable oil. Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Add shrimp and cook till they curl.
    Stir-Fry Spaghetti Squash with Shrimps-7
  • Add carrots and spaghetti squash. Stir to mix well.
    Stir-Fry Spaghetti Squash with Shrimps-8
  • Add soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Continue to cook for another 10 minutes.
  • Turn off heat and stir in sliced green onions.
    Stir-Fry Spaghetti Squash with Shrimps-9
  • Remove and serve warm wrapped in lettuce leaves if desired.

NUTRITION

Calories: 197kcal
Tried this recipe?Mention @RotiNRice or tag #RotiNRice!

This delicious Stir-Fry Spaghetti Squash with Shrimp is a twist on the classic Jiu Hu Char (stir Fry Jicama), often served as a filling for lettuce wraps. | RotiNRice.com

This delicious Stir-Fry Spaghetti Squash with Shrimp is a twist on the classic Jiu Hu Char (stir Fry Jicama), often served as a filling for lettuce wraps. | RotiNRice.com


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Comments

  3. Dorothy Lin says

    Your spaghetti squash recipe looks delicious.I have several home grown squash from my garden and I will try this dish.Will let you know the result.
    Happy And Healthy New Year to you and family.
    Congratulations to Roti And Rice on your 3rd anniversary.May you have many many more years to come.

    Dorothy

    Reply

  4. denise @ singapore shiok says

    Wow! That does look just like jiu hu char! How very clever – no need to shred all that bang kwang! Your fingers must be very grateful LOL I would love some with hot rice and sambal belacan. I’ve never eaten it out of lettuce cups, the traditional nyonya way, but I’m guessing it’s just as delicious.

    Reply

    • Biren says

      I have been wanting to make jiu hu char with this for a while but had to wait until it is in season. Once cooked with soy sauce, the taste is pretty similar. Need to make some sambal belacan next time. Do try it next time with the lettuce cups with sambal spread at the base…sedap!

      Reply

  6. Jeannie says

    Spaghetti squash is not something we see here or I have not come across it yet! Sounds like a very versatile squash and looks beautiful too! Happy New Year !

    Reply

    • Biren says

      I don’t think I have ever come across spaghetti squash in Malaysia. Maybe someday it will be imported by the merchants there. 🙂

      Reply

  11. Katerina says

    Happy anniversary to your blog Bee Ren! I love learning about other countries’ traditions! The dish looks very refreshing and shrimps are one of my favorite seafood. Have a wonderful and happy New Year!

    Reply

  13. Dorothy Lin says

    Finally I cooked my home grown squash according to your recipe and it turned out deliciously yummy.The natural flavor is very sweet.
    Thank you

    Dorothy

    Reply

    • Biren says

      So glad to hear you enjoyed the dish. The squash is very sweet when cooked that way. Hardly any seasoning required. Actually I cook mainly with three seasoning – soy sauce, salt, and pepper. I do like some chili sauce and soy bean paste but very little of other sauces. 🙂

      Reply

  14. Jagdip says

    Hi Biren, where can I buy spaghetti squash from in Singapore? I couldn’t find any in Cold Storage. Thx.

    Reply

    • Biren says

      Hi Jagdip! I am afraid I can’t tell you where you can find spaghetti squash in Singapore. I would have suggested Cold Storage too but I guess they don’t have it there. 🙁

      Reply