It’s also versatile enough that it pairs well with nearly any main course. With its mild flavor and tender texture, yellow squash can add a hint of sweetness to your meal without overpowering it. Plus, if you’re looking for a way to sneak some veggies into kids’ diets, this is an excellent option!
Yellow Squash
Yellow squash is a great way to add some color to your plate. It’s also packed with vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C, beta-carotene, folate, and potassium. It’s the perfect accompaniment to any meal: you can make it into a salad, toss it in with some pasta or rice and veggies, add it to soup—you name it! If you’re looking for dishes that will compliment Yellow Squash, you can try these recipes: Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole, Sirloin Steak with Tomato Basil Sauce, Lemon Pepper Chicken, and Grilled Pork Tenderloin.
Types Of Yellow Squash
When someone refers to “summer squash” they are most likely referring to the yellow variety. These come in two common types. Straight-neck and Crookneck. Either of these varieties can be used in the recipes below. They taste similar, but there are a few different subtle differences:
Straightneck – More commonly found in stores. It has a thinner, smoother skin than crookneck varieties. It has a mild, smooth flavor. Crookneck – Has a slightly thicker, bumpier skin. It often grows with a more pronounced, bulbous end and a crook-neck (hence the name) near the stem, but can sometimes grow with a straighter neck (like the picture above). The flavor is a little nuttier than the straight neck varieties and, because of the thicker, waxier skin, it could take longer to cook.
Yellow Squash Nutrition
Yellow squash is a great, nutritious vegetable (well, technically a fruit, but we won’t get into formalities) that is high in Vitamin C, Vitamin B-6, and Potassium. It is also low carb (7g*), low calorie (31 calories*), and has 2.2g of fiber*. It’s great vegetable for those practicing a low-carb or keto lifestyle. *based on a medium sized squash according to the USDA.
How To Cook Yellow Squash (4 Easy Ways)
There are so many different ways to cook up squash. It can be roasted, steamed, sautéed, grilled, baked, fried, or even air fried. Here are our four favorite easy methods of cooking yellow summer squash:
Roasted (or Baked) – Cut in half, slice or cut into pieces. Brush with olive oil and season with salt. Bake at 400-degrees for 20-25 minutes or until tender. Throw some other veggies on there to make a delicious roasted vegetable medley. Sautéed – Slice or cut into smaller pieces and sauté in butter over medium-high heat for 10-15 minutes or until tender. Season with salt or seasoning (see ideas below).Grilled – Cut into thick slices or wedges. Brush with vegetable oil and grill for five minutes per side or until tender. Season with salt with each turn. Air Fried – Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Air fry at 375-degrees for eight minutes, flipping half-way through. Season more after flipping if needed.
Add Some Toppings
Now here’s the fun part. I love topping my cooked squash with fun toppings and seasonings to add some variety. Of course you can never go wrong with simply seasoning with salt and pepper. Sometimes you just want to bring out the natural flavors, and that’s totally fine. But sometimes, it’s fun to try something new. Here are some of my favorite ways to switch things up:
Seasoned Panko Breadcrumbs – You can add the breadcrumbs after cooking, or if you are baking, roasting, or air-frying your squash you can add the breadcrumbs beforehand. Just add a little oil or cooking spray over the top to help the breadcrumbs stay put. Flaked Parmesan Cheese – This is such a quick and easy way to add some extra flavor. Simply sprinkle on a generous amount of parmesan cheese before serving (not the powdered kind, try to use the shredded or flaked). Grill Seasoning – My favorite grill seasoning to put on this squash is the Kinder’s Buttery Steakhouse Blend seasoning (see above). I found this stuff at Costco and I find myself putting it on EVERYTHING. It gives the squash a nice boost of flavor. If you want to go all-out, add this seasoning, THEN sprinkle with breadcrumbs AND parmesan cheese. I’m telling you, it’s heavenly.
FAQ’s
Recipes to Serve with Cooked Squash
Squash is a great side dish, especially in the summer and fall. But what recipes go well with squash? What can it complement? Here are some of our favorite main dish ideas:
Poppy Seed Chicken CasseroleSirloin Steak with Tomato Basil SauceLemon Pepper ChickenGrilled Pork Tenderloin
Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
Sirloin Steak with Tomato Basil Sauce
Lemon Pepper Chicken
Grilled Pork Tenderloin
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