Culinary definition of shred: To cut into small uniform pieces using a grater, or pull into small uniform pieces using a fork or by hand. See also Grate.
C@H FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Many old cookbooks refer to shredding as modern cooks would refer to coarse grating. Today, 'to shred' refers primarily to the pulling or tearing apart of foods like poached chicken (right), pulled pork and roasted spaghetti squash.
Often, shredding is most effectively accomplished using two forks - one two hold down whatever it is you are shredding, and the other to pull the stringy meat or fibres away in small shreds, or pieces.
✭ ✭ ✭ Quick Vegetable Pasta. Keep a medium sized spaghetti squash in your fruit bowl (they look good and stay viable a surprisingly long time), and when you are in a pinch for weekday dinner ideas, cut the squash in half, remove the seeds and guts, brush the cut sides with olive or other oil, and bake cut-side down on a tray or sheet pan for 30-45 minutes at 350F, or until soft when pierced with a fork or tip of a sharp knife.
Let cool slightly and then use a fork to shred or pull threads of squash from both halves. Saute with a tablespoon each of olive oil and salted butter, then use like regular spaghetti noodles - serve with pesto, tomato sauce, meatballs, seafood, sausage - you name it. Kids LOVE helping with this and they LOVE to eat it!