Category: Cooperative Extension
Make Your Bountiful Summer Squash the Star of Your Seasonal Delights
July 22, 2024 Written by Kimi Moore, Extension Agent- Health & Well-being
If you have a garden or know someone who does, you may be all too familiar with when summer squash seems overflowing. While summer squash is delicious when sauteed, you may eventually get bored. But you don’t have to be! There are many fun and inventive ways to incorporate summer squash into your meals. Not to mention, they are a great way to boost your vegetable intake!
According to the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, USDA and HHS, 90% of Delawareans do not meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendation of 2 to 3 cups of vegetables daily. Vegetables provide a variety of nutrients that are essential for our health. Summer squash, such as zucchini and yellow squash, includes vitamin B6 and vitamin C, among other vital nutrients.
Summer squash and beyond
So, how do you prepare summer squash beyond a simple sauté? Summer squash is a versatile vegetable to cook with as it doesn’t have a strong flavor but instead takes on the flavor of whatever it is paired with. Also, compared to winter squash, it is easy to cut, allowing it to be easily used in various ways. One of my favorite ways to use summer squash is to cut it into ½” by 2-3” long pieces and then roast them with whatever spices are on hand. Chili powder and smoked paprika are the seasonings I tend to use most often. The finished squash pieces can be used in tacos, fajitas, or to top any dish you choose. They add a nice flavor and texture while boosting the fiber and nutrients.
Summer squash can be used in many ways, including grilled, sliced, or shredded. Zucchini and yellow squash can also be included in summer meals. Here are a few recipe ideas. Don’t let the names fool you; yellow squash is an excellent substitution for zucchini in recipes, so use whichever you have on hand.
Zucchini Fries
If you are a big fan of French fries but are out of potatoes or want a little change, zucchini fries could be a nice alternative! UD Cooperative Extension has a simple recipe.
Zucchini Bread
A classic way of using up an abundance of summer squash is zucchini bread. Again, since zucchini has a mild flavor, it can be used in savory OR sweet dishes. The zucchini adds moisture and texture to the bread, fiber, and nutrients! You can use your favorite zucchini bread recipe, or if you don’t have one, check out MyPlate’s recipe.
Crunchy Zucchini Wrap
Is it too hot to turn on the oven? Summer squash can be eaten raw as well! Raw summer squash can make a great addition to a wrap, like in the Crunchy Zucchini Wrap. As the name implies, the summer squash adds a nice crunch. Click to watch the recipe video from Healthy In a SNAP.
