11 Varieties of Summer season Squash Recipe

Varieties of summer season squash go WAY past yellow squash and zucchini! Hold studying to learn to select, retailer, and prepare dinner a few of my favorites.

Considered one of my favourite components of summer season is all of the sorts of squash which might be in season. We’re not simply speaking yellow squash and zucchini. Head to the farmers market, and also you would possibly discover Zephyr squash, Mexicana squash, patty pan squash, and extra.

Under, I’m breaking down some widespread varieties and providing ideas for the best way to prepare dinner them. If you happen to’ve by no means labored with various kinds of summer season squash earlier than, they will appear intimidating, however I promise, they’re straightforward to arrange. Every of those varieties is exclusive and scrumptious. I hope you attempt some this summer season!

How you can Retailer Summer season Squash

To offer 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!

Varieties of Summer season Squash

Zucchini

If you happen to’re aware of any of the sorts of squash on this publish, you undoubtedly know zucchini. This standard 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 may sauté it, grill it, roast it, add it to baked items, and even eat it uncooked.

A few of my favourite zucchini recipes embrace 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 commonest number of summer season 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 may also 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 a terrific 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 the same style. Relying on the variability, its precise form and coloring can range. Some patty pan squashes are pale inexperienced and tulip-shaped, whereas others are darker and resemble a scallop-edged flying saucer. Some are the dimensions of the palm of your hand, whereas others are barely larger than 1 / 4.

Like different sorts of summer season squash, patty pan is unbelievable sautéed, grilled, or roasted. Take a look at this sautéed patty pan squash recipe to show it into a straightforward facet dish.

Zephyr Summer season 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 Selected 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 season Squash

This gray-green Mexican zucchini is standard amongst growers for its high yields, ease of harvest, and strong disease resistance, however you’ll find it irresistible 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 out there at farmers markets. You may establish them by their darkish yellow pores and skin and agency flesh.

Much less widespread are striped zucchini, which embrace the Dario and Safari varieties (pictured above). With their white or mild inexperienced stripes, these patterned squash are a deal with to take a look at. Use them as you’d common inexperienced zucchini.

Spherical Zucchini and Squash

These summer season 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 sorts of spherical zucchini or summer season squash. Their form makes them good for stuffing, however you too can grill, roast, or sauté them as you’d common zucchini.

Extra Varieties of Squash to Know

I’ve highlighted a few of my favourite sorts of squash above, however there are nonetheless others that you simply would possibly discover at your market or retailer. Look out for…

Yellow Crookneck Squash

You may 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

Lots of the sorts of squash on this publish look related…not chayote squash! This pale inexperienced selection is formed like a pear, and it has crisp, agency flesh not in contrast to 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 superb uncooked or cooked. Thinly sliced, it will 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 brief, 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 too can roast or sauté them like zucchini.

What are your favourite sorts of squash? Let me know within the feedback!