What to cook now: summer squash and zucchini

S

ummer squash is one of the season's most gorgeous garden ingredients. It's delicious mashed, fried, puréed, roasted, steamed, and grilled, and these great recipe ideas will help you take advantage of its abundance and versatility.

Choose Wisely

Look for firm summer squash with vibrant-colored, shiny, unblemished skin. Select small to medium-sized zucchini from two to eight inches long. Larger ones can be tough and bitter.

Maximize Flavor

Summer squash contains a lot of excess water. To remove it, lightly salt diced squash and let it stand for half an hour. Rinse the squash and then squeeze dry. The result is squash with a more concentrated flavor.

Starters

Yellow Summer Squash and Corn Soup

Zucchini Pancakes with Basil Chive Cream

Summer Squash Bread and Butter Pickles

Zucchini Chips


Side Dishes

Grilled Zucchini and Summer Squash Salad with Basil-Parmesan Dressing

Baby Zucchini and Patty Pan Squash Sauteed in Herb Butter

Fresh Corn Saute with Tomatoes, Squash, and Fried Okra

Zucchini Potato Lemon-Thyme Mash


Main Dishes

Summer Squash Sloppy Joes

Zucchini Curry

Gemelli with Zucchini, Tomatoes, and Bacon

Rosemary Chicken and Summer Squash Brochettes


Breakfast and Baked Goods

Chocolate Zucchini Mini-Muffins

Flat Zucchini Omelet

Yellow Squash and Mozzarella Quiche with Fresh Thyme

Zucchini Ginger Cupcakes


Click here for many more recipes.



MORE FROM EPICURIOUS:

  • Recipe Slideshows
    Assorted galleries featuring pictures and recipes from Epicurious.com

  • Epicurious's New Seasonal Ingredient Map
    This handy interactive tool allows you to select your state and month to get a list of fruits and veggies you can expect to see at your local farmers' market.