Yellow Summer Squash Everywhere: What to Do with It
EAT IT! Squash is 95% water, and therefore is a low calorie food. A cup of raw squash will set you back only 20 calories, so it is a super for dieters. It is also an excellent source of Vitamin C, Vitamin B6 and potassium. It is high in fiber, so it will fill you up.
How to prepare all this squash? It's easy! Just choose firm squash without soft spots, rinse the skin and cut off the ends. Squash is great in salads or grated into omelets, or eaten raw with dips.
I have listed some recipe sites in my resources. Go to any of these, search on "yellow squash", and you will get many recipe ideas. Here are a few easy ones to get you started:
Yellow Squash Side Dish
In a glass baking dish, put thin slices of squash. Top with basil leaves and drizzle with olive oil. Top with ¾ cup pasta sauce. Cover with foil and bake 40 min. at 350 degrees.
Yellow Squash Appetizer
Slice squash lengthwise into ¼" thick pieces, then cut in halt. Mix 3 tablespoons olive oil with salt, pepper and 1 teasppon chopped rosemary. Brush onto squash, then grill 3-4 min. per side. Sprinkle with balsamic vinegar and serve.
Yellow Squash Entrée
Marinate 4 oz. of chicken in 4 tablesppons olive oil, 4 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, and salt and pepper. Slice 1 summer squash into rounds. Alternately skewer chicken and squash (piercing lengthwise, not into seeds). Grill 5-7 minutes.
Squash can also be grated and added to baked goods such as cakes and muffins for added nutrition, moisture and fiber. This is a great way to make muffins more healthy for your family, and they will never know the squash is in there!
Freezing is not recommended for squash because of its high water content, although I have shredded and then frozen it to use later in baked goods, and that has worked fine.
Once you pick squash, it should keep 3-5 days. You should just keep it on the kitchen counter, unwashed and uncut until you plan to use it. If you still have squash left after trying these ideas, share the bounty with your neighbor.
Published by Susan Braun - Featured Contributor in Arts & Entertainment
Susan Braun is a freelance writer with special interests in education, the arts and music. She freelances for several sites, and is one of Associated Content s Top 1000 Sources for each year from 2008 to 201... View profile
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