they will keep a long time also so do worry bout them going bad, i found years ago wit hthese is cut them in half, put the halves in a large ziplock bag leave the opening slightly cracked to let air out , put butter and brown sugar in the seed opening , and micro for 10 to 20 mins depending on mic and size of squash. when they are done u can tell they scrap out real easy with a fork . we like them this way , u can do them with out the brown sugar also just with butter and they are just as good