The term soft-rind squash (or “summer squash”) encompasses zucchini, patty pan squash, crookneck squash, and the common yellow straightneck squash.Summer squashes are harvested when immature and their rind is soft and edible. Just like the tomato, squash is commonly referred to as a vegetable, when botanically it’s really a fruit!

Varieties

Zucchini squash is a soft-rind or summer squash best identified by its long slender shape and dark green skin.  Its flavor is delicate and mild and has great versatility when preparing dishes and matching flavors.  This variety is low in calories and high in folate, vitamin A, and potassium. 

Yellow Squash range in color from buttery to lemon yellow.  With thin edible skin, yellow squash can be used interchangeably with zucchini.  Both may be prepared in many different ways such as sauted, steamed, fried, baked, roasted or grilled.  Summer squashes are commonly shredded and baked into cakes or fried like pancakes. 

Storage Tips

Summer squashes are much more perishable than their winter counterparts. Store them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator and use promptly.

Nutrition

Summer squash is an excellent source of vitamin C, fiber, vitamin B6, and manganese. It’s also a great source of many health-promoting antioxidants, including lutein. Lutein is essential for normal vision and has also been found to improve heart health, protect skin from UV damage, and posses anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. (Read more about lutein on Phytochemicals.info and see more squash nutrition facts on Self.com.)

Seasonality

Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct,

Recipes

Baby Basil-Zucchini Muffins Recipe
Baked Zucchini Fries
Blueberry Zucchini Bread
Braised Zucchini with Mint and Lemon
Classic Ratatouille with Olives
Creamed Zucchini with Garlic & Basil
Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake
End of Summer Vegetable Soup
Garlic Scape and Zucchini Pizza
Grilled Vegetable Kabobs
Grilled Vegetables with Rosemary-Goat Cheese Polenta
Grilled Zucchini Spears with Mint
Grilled Zucchini Tacos
Jazar wa Kusa (Zucchini and Carrots)
Kid-Friendly Chicken Noodle Soup
Lemony Zucchini and Bean Pasta Salad
Lemony Zucchini Risotto
Marinated Zucchini Salad
Marinated Zucchini with Mint and Scallions
Pasta with Peppers, Squash, and Tomatoes
Pesto Penne Primavera
Pork Ribs in Tomatillo Sauce
Ratatouille
Raw Collard Green Wraps
Rice Noodles with Zucchini, Tomatoes and Fresh Mint
Roasted Summer Squash and Fennel with Thyme
Seven Vegetable Couscous
Small-Batch Refrigerator Pickles
Spaghetti with Fried Zucchini
Summer Quinoa Salad by Tina
Summer Squash and Goat Cheese Frittata
Summer Squash and White Bean Saute
Summer Squash Fritters
Summer Vegetable Stir-Fry
Super Easy and Delicious Zucchini Butter (or Marmalade)
Sweet Zucchini Pancakes
Three Sisters Casserole
Vegetable Barley Chili
Vegetarian Eggplant Stew
Yellow Squash, Onion and Tomato Bake
Zucchini Almond Veggie Burgers
Zucchini and Carrot Bread
Zucchini and Tomato Stew
Zucchini Bread
Zucchini “Carpaccio” with Feta, Walnuts & Dill
Zucchini Chile-Cheddar Mash
Zucchini Fritters (Kolokitho Keftedes)
Zucchini Gratin
Zucchini Lasagna
Zucchini Noodle Salad with Spicy Peanut Sauce
Zucchini, Onion and Ricotta Pie
Zucchini Quinoa Lasagna
Zucchini Stuffed With Ricotta-Basil Mousse