Tips for cooking summer squash

If you are a home gardener, you know how easy it is get overwhelmed by the number of vegetables that all ripen at the same time. It requires a lot of creativity to find ways to use all these fresh vegetables. One of the most delicious of the summer vegetables is summer squash. During the summer, the squash is smaller, sweeter and much more tender. In other words, they are at their peak. Cooking your summer squash doesn't have to take a long time. 

This delicious vegetable can be prepared many different ways. Some are simple and others more complex but with the delicacy of the flavor, it is wise to let the flavor of the squash shine through and not be covered by other stronger flavors.

No matter the technique you use to cook your squash, you will need to prepare it. Give it a good wash, cut off the ends and remove any damaged spots on the skin, You do not need to peel the squash, the inside is so delicate that removing the peel will allow it to lose its shape.

Steam

To steam summer squash, slice the squash into quarter-inch thick disks. Prepare the pot you plan to use to steam the summer squash by placing water in the pot and then add the steam tray. Place the squash in the steam tray and place the pot on the burner at high heat. When it begins to boil place a cover on the pot and leave covered for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and place the cooked squash in a bowl and season with butter and whatever herbs your family likes. It is now ready to serve.

Grill

Grilling summer squash is a very popular cooking method. Pre-heat the grill and prepare the squash the same way you would for steaming except cut the disks half an inch thick. They will stand up better to grilling if they are thicker. Use a grilling tray, this is a very juicy vegetable and it will fall through the grill if you try to grill directly on the heat. Brush the tray with olive and then brush the squash and sprinkle with rosemary, dill or oregano. Place the tray on the grill and watch closely. Flip when you have grill marks and again watch closely. This will cook quickly.

If you don't have a grill tray you can use aluminum foil or cut the squash in half and place directly on the grill after applying the olive oil and herbs.

Baked

If you prefer, you can bake your summer squash. You can do it as a casserole, cut all the squash into disks and layer seasoning with salt, pepper, and butter and baked at 350 degrees for an hour. This works for whatever amount of summer squash you may have.

If you end up with many more summer squash than you can possibly cook and eat or even give away, consider blanching them and then freezing them in Ziploc bags for use in the fall, winter and spring. When you are eating these vegetables later in the year, you will be very glad that you did.