Forms of summer time squash go WAY past yellow squash and zucchini! Hold studying to discover ways to select, retailer, and cook dinner a few of my favorites.
One in every of my favourite components of summer time is all of the varieties of squash which can be in season. We’re not simply speaking yellow squash and zucchini. Head to the farmers market, and also you may discover Zephyr squash, Mexicana squash, patty pan squash, and extra.
Under, I’m breaking down some widespread varieties and providing solutions for find out how to cook dinner them. When you’ve by no means labored with various kinds of summer time squash earlier than, they’ll appear intimidating, however I promise, they’re straightforward to arrange. Every of those varieties is exclusive and scrumptious. I hope you strive some this summer time!
Easy methods to Select Summer time Squash
Whenever you’re a show of summer time squash—particularly if there are varieties you haven’t tried—how have you learnt which of them to select?
- Select squash that really feel heavy for his or her measurement.
- Be sure that they don’t have any wrinkles or gentle spots, which might point out decay.
- Choose small to medium squash, NOT massive ones. The larger summer time squash are, the extra watery they’ll be, they usually’ll have bigger seeds. Smaller squash could have the perfect taste and texture.
Easy methods to Retailer Summer time Squash
To provide your greens the longest shelf life attainable, wrap them in a paper or plastic bag and retailer them within the crisper drawer of your fridge. The bag will assist them retain their moisture (aka not shrivel), so don’t skip it!
Forms of Summer time Squash
Zucchini
When you’re aware of any of the varieties of squash on this put up, you undoubtedly know zucchini. This common veggie has darkish inexperienced, skinny pores and skin and dense white flesh with a mildly candy taste. It’s a flexible vegetable to maintain in your kitchen. You possibly can sauté it, grill it, roast it, add it to baked items, and even eat it uncooked.
A few of my favourite zucchini recipes embody grilled zucchini, roasted zucchini, stuffed zucchini boats, zucchini noodles, and zucchini fritters. And I’ll by no means flip down a slice of chocolate zucchini bread!
Yellow Squash
Straightneck yellow squash is the most typical number of summer time squash you’ll discover at grocery shops and farmers markets. It has very delicate, pale yellow pores and skin and a sweeter, fruitier taste than zucchini. I like to sauté this squash till tender and serve it as a facet dish—discover my favourite technique on this sautéed yellow squash recipe.
You can too add uncooked squash to salads (try this pesto pasta salad recipe!), simmer it in vegetable soups, julienne or spiralize it to make veggie noodles, or add it to grilled vegetable skewers. Moreover, it’s an excellent substitute for zucchini in baked items like zucchini muffins and zucchini bread.
Patty Pan Squash
I really like patty pan squash as a result of it’s simply. so. CUTE! Its flesh is denser than that of zucchini or yellow squash, but it surely has an identical style. Relying on the variability, its actual form and coloring can differ. Some patty pan squashes are pale inexperienced and tulip-shaped, whereas others are darker and resemble a scallop-edged flying saucer. Some are the scale of the palm of your hand, whereas others are barely larger than 1 / 4.
Like different varieties of summer time squash, patty pan is improbable sautéed, grilled, or roasted. Try this sautéed patty pan squash recipe to show it into a straightforward facet dish.
Zephyr Summer time Squash
Zephyr squash, a cross between a yellow crookneck squash and a delicata squash–acorn squash hybrid, has a particular look. It’s lengthy and slender, and whereas the higher half is yellow, the blossom finish is usually inexperienced. However its look isn’t the one particular factor about it. Johnny’s Chosen Seeds, the corporate that first bred it, describes its taste as “unusually scrumptious” and “nutty.” Put together this distinctive squash as you’d widespread yellow squash or zucchini.
Mexicana Summer time Squash
This gray-green Mexican zucchini is common amongst growers for its excessive yields, ease of harvest, and powerful illness resistance, however you’ll like it for its tender flesh and nutty taste. Attempt sautéing it or tossing it on the grill!
Striped Zucchini
Do you know that not all zucchini look the identical? They’re not pictured right here, however golden zucchini are sometimes accessible at farmers markets. You possibly can establish them by their darkish yellow pores and skin and agency flesh.
Much less widespread are striped zucchini, which embody the Dario and Safari varieties (pictured above). With their white or gentle inexperienced stripes, these patterned squash are a deal with to have a look at. Use them as you’d common inexperienced zucchini.
Spherical Zucchini and Squash
These summer time squash varieties go by many names. There’s yellow One Ball squash, inexperienced Eight Ball, and pale, striped Ronde de Good. All of them are varieties of spherical zucchini or summer time squash. Their form makes them good for stuffing, however you can even grill, roast, or sauté them as you’d common zucchini.
Extra Forms of Squash to Know
I’ve highlighted a few of my favourite varieties of squash above, however there are nonetheless others that you just may discover at your market or retailer. Look out for…
Yellow Crookneck Squash
You possibly can acknowledge crookneck squash by its attribute curved neck and vibrant yellow, bumpy pores and skin. It has bigger seeds than straightneck squash, however its agency flesh and wealthy, buttery taste make it scrumptious nonetheless. Attempt it sautéed!
Chayote Squash
Most of the varieties of squash on this put up look related…not chayote squash! This pale inexperienced selection is formed like a pear, and it has crisp, agency flesh not not like that of a cucumber, although it’s additionally nice cooked. Native to central Mexico, it shines in salads and sautés.
Costata Romanesco
This ridged, striped zucchini is an Italian heirloom selection. It has a nutty taste and is great uncooked or cooked. Thinly sliced, it might be scrumptious in a easy zucchini salad.
Cousa Squash
Hailing from the Center East, pale inexperienced cousa squash has a sweeter taste than common zucchini. The small squash are quick, squat, and gently tapered from stem to blossom finish. Left to develop bigger, they grow to be ovular, related in form to spaghetti squash. The small squash are good for stuffing, however you can even roast or sauté them like zucchini.
What are your favourite varieties of squash? Let me know within the feedback!
