Tuesday, August 24, 2010

The Summer of SQUASH

The last time I posted an update on our garden we were getting ready to harvest some squash. Since then we have consumed about six homegrown squash and are anticipating enjoying many, many more throughout the next few months.

Right now we have summer squash and acorn squash. This (below) is the yellow squash.


Here's the boring way to prepare yellow squash (cut it up and throw it in the steamer!).



The exciting way is to sautee the squash in a pan with some olive oil and some vidalia onions.


When the onions and squash are nice and soft (and still hot) sprinkle some cheddar cheese on top and watch it melt into a bowl of deliciousness.



I also tested this Squash Souffle recipe, but it didn't turn out quite as I had hoped. I guess I wasn't too surprised, as I had to use flaxseed for the eggs, and I didn't use bread crumbs like it suggested (since I don't eat wheat I used corn meal). In addition, I didn't have eight ounces of shredded cheddar cheese, only five ounces.

This was what it looked like prior to baking.


I left it in the oven for about 30 minutes longer than the recipe suggested. I wanted a crispy outer layer! It was definitely good, just not amazing like I had hoped. It actually reminded me a lot of my polenta recipe.


And what about the acorn squash? I haven't done anything creative with the acorn squash, because both Nick and I love it just baked and jazzed up a bit.


I simply throw it into the oven at 370 degrees, for about 30 minutes. Then I take it out and cut it in half. I then place it back on the baking sheet, seed side facing down, for another 30 minutes.


Then I sprinkle a bit of brown sugar on top (I use the Splenda brown sugar), and about 1-2 T Smart Balance margarine.


Then serve it with something delicious, OR just have it by itself! On this particular day we made soft tacos with wheat-free tortillas, ground turkey, tomatoes, wild rice, and lots of spinach.


Pretty soon I'll be posting about my pumpkin. Check it out! I can imagine this pureed and in my oats already :)



Question: What's your favorite way to eat SQUASH?!

24 comments :

  1. Mmmm...I LOVE squash and onions! So simple, but so delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  2. we have the same steaming device!
    I love squash in fajitas! I also love to "bread" it with fiber one and bake it in strips, then dip it in dressing :)
    I also love it baked... maybe I just love it any way! The casserole still looks great- I love casseroles but rarely make them for some reason. I guess I'm impatient with the oven.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sounds like your garden is a huge success! Squash..especially zucchini = my fave summer vegetable. I agree that acorn squash is so good just plain and simple. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh my, that is a beautiful squash! I'm super impressed with your gardening skills. How fun it must be to eat the food you grew yourself!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I like placing squash on the grill with olive oil and salt and pepper and some parm cheese and it taste awesome. We have zucchini growing like crazy in our garden right now!

    ReplyDelete
  6. So jealous of your squash! I love most squash baked with simple salt and pepper and a little olive oil. I'm very impressed by your garden!

    ReplyDelete
  7. so jealous of you growing your own squash! I love any kind of squash... obviously kabocha is top in the list. I just like to eat them plain, steamed or roasted, with tons of cinnamon! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your garden is HUGE! And filled with squash and pumpkins, I can attest to that! YUM! Acorn is my favorite and I grew up having it steamed and filled with brown sugar, butter, pecans, and a touch of maple syrup. I still love that combo, but way more squash and way less goodies!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love baked butternut squash with olive oil and sea salt. Yum! You can't go wrong with squash and onions though.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a beautiful squash! I love squash....summer and winter ones. But I think my favorite is butternut squash. In "fry" shape, even my veggie hating hubby loves it! Acorn squash is also a favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I usually cook squash with some olive oil either on the stove or in the oven. I love the idea to add cheese (Cory would love that!).

    ReplyDelete
  12. i'm really hoping your pumpkin is as good as libbys! i know how much you've been missing it so i'm really routing for that sucker to grow!

    i have two squashes in my garage the size of both of my forearms put together. i'm in love with zuke pasta!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Depends on the squash - spaghetti squash is my favorite either with some mariniara sauce and lentils or with a little butter and cheese.

    I love acorn squash stuffed with some grains, spinach, lentils and cheese.

    I am very excited for squash season!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love squash parmesan...loaded with onions, garlic, and roasted chickpeas and tomatoes.
    Boy, I can't imagine a life without garlic....what about garlic flavoring?

    ReplyDelete
  15. Yay for squash season! My favorite is butternut, but I've been wanting to try the elusive kabocha. So cool that you are growing your own pumpkins!

    ReplyDelete
  16. love it! That squash is HUGE! so neat. I love squash pretty much any which way, but my favorite is roasted and/or stuffed :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. wow! that's great you've been able to use so much from your garden!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Mmmm. I love squash but tried cooking it once- put it in the oven with some maple syrup... almost burnt the house down (definitely burnt the cookie sheet to a crisp). I haven't cooked squash again! Your squash looks so delicious though... maybe I'll give it another shot! :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. I LOVE steamed yellow squash with onions! I always think summer squash has a naturally buttery taste, which can be enhanced with a dab of butter or olive oil. And acorn squash last right into the winter. I love roasting them with a bit of cinnamon and maple syrup.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wow, look at that huge yellow squash! Your garden has been fruitful this year :) It looks like you've had so much squash, you've been preparing it every way. My favorite way to eat summer squash is sauteed with garlic and olive oil (...and sausage :) ), served over warm pasta with a grind of black pepper and urfa pepper flakes. Hmm, it's been a while since I've had that. I hear dinner in the making ...

    Have a nice day, Gina!

    ReplyDelete
  21. for some reason i don't like acorn squash baked.. i think its because the baked skin becomes fragrant tasting. i love it lightly boiled or steamed tho!

    kabocha is my fav and is good any way... and i think butternut is the best in soups or roasted.. and ive had it raw too which was really good as well. has a nice sweetness to it

    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  22. Squash is one food I need to eat more of! Thanks for providing some great ways to use it! How is the job going? I have my 2nd interview scheduled for the 7th!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I'm jealous of your garden! I want one!! I love to make spaghetti squash, I'll have to try acorn squash too. Pumpkin in oatmeal is definitely the way to go.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I can almost taste it. Fresh vegetables are so yummy.

    ReplyDelete