Varieties of summer time squash go WAY past yellow squash and zucchini! Maintain 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 kinds of squash which are 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.
Beneath, I’m breaking down some frequent varieties and providing solutions for the right way to cook dinner them. In case you’ve by no means labored with various kinds of summer time squash earlier than, they’ll appear intimidating, however I promise, they’re simple to organize. Every of those varieties is exclusive and scrumptious. I hope you strive some this summer time!
Select Summer time Squash
If you’re taking a look at a show of summer time squash—particularly if there are sorts you haven’t tried—how are you aware which of them to select?
- Select squash that really feel heavy for his or her measurement.
- Make it possible for they don’t have any wrinkles or gentle spots, which may point out decay.
- Choose small to medium squash, NOT massive ones. The larger summer time squash are, the extra watery they’ll be, and so they’ll have bigger seeds. Smaller squash may have the most effective taste and texture.
Retailer Summer time Squash
To present 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 time Squash
Zucchini
In case you’re aware of any of the kinds of squash on this put up, you positively 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 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 methodology on this sautéed yellow squash recipe.
You too can add uncooked squash to salads (take a look at 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 awesome substitute for zucchini in baked items like zucchini muffins and zucchini bread.
Patty Pan Squash
I like patty pan squash as a result of it’s simply. so. CUTE! Its flesh is denser than that of zucchini or yellow squash, nevertheless it has an analogous style. Relying on the range, its actual 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 scale of the palm of your hand, whereas others are barely greater than 1 / 4.
Like different kinds of summer time squash, patty pan is implausible 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 mostly 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 frequent yellow squash or zucchini.
Mexicana Summer time Squash
This gray-green Mexican zucchini is standard amongst growers for its excessive yields, ease of harvest, and robust illness resistance, however you’ll adore it for its tender flesh and nutty taste. Strive 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 may determine them by their darkish yellow pores and skin and agency flesh.
Much less frequent 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 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 kinds of spherical zucchini or summer time squash. Their form makes them excellent for stuffing, however you may also grill, roast, or sauté them as you’d common zucchini.
Extra Varieties of Squash to Know
I’ve highlighted a few of my favourite kinds of squash above, however there are nonetheless others that you just 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 shiny yellow, bumpy pores and skin. It has bigger seeds than straightneck squash, however its agency flesh and wealthy, buttery taste make it scrumptious nonetheless. Strive it sautéed!
Chayote Squash
Most of the kinds 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 could 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 turn into ovular, related in form to spaghetti squash. The small squash are excellent for stuffing, however you may also roast or sauté them like zucchini.
What are your favourite kinds of squash? Let me know within the feedback!
