Help! How to cook squash?

[lunalibre]

Hi folks,

For the first time ever, I planted a squash plant in my garden. I thought I bought the yellow, smooth-skinned, crook-necked squash like I've always eaten. Well, the squash on my bush is yellow and crook-necked, but it's really bumpy!

How do I cook this squash? Do I need to peel it first? Did I just let it get too big? The squash are fairly smooth-skinned and very pale yellow until they're maybe 4" long. I'm used to cooking with bigger squash than that, though, and while they've got smooth skin, they just don't look ripe to me.

Any suggestions? Honestly, I'm amazed I've got anything to harvest. If there's a way to kill a plant, I'll find it! I already killed the zucchini I planted.

 

[DalGal]

Hi folks,

For the first time ever, I planted a squash plant in my garden. I thought I bought the yellow, smooth-skinned, crook-necked squash like I've always eaten. Well, the squash on my bush is yellow and crook-necked, but it's really bumpy!

How do I cook this squash? Do I need to peel it first? Did I just let it get too big? The squash are fairly smooth-skinned and very pale yellow until they're maybe 4" long. I'm used to cooking with bigger squash than that, though, and while they've got smooth skin, they just don't look ripe to me.

Any suggestions? Honestly, I'm amazed I've got anything to harvest. If there's a way to kill a plant, I'll find it! I already killed the zucchini I planted.

You would cook it the same way. Ours get "bumpy" if they get too large. Big ones also tend to be spongy. You can pick them at 4", even though they are that pale yellow color. I usually pick mine at around 4" to 6". When they are about that size they are good sliced, marinated and grilled.

 

[TiggerTails57]

I add squash to chili in the crock pot. Gotta sneek those veggies in somehow

 

[SnowWhite607]

FRY IT! Slice into rounds, roll in water then corn meal, fry in veg oil, season with salt and pepper. YUM!!

 

[marthachick]

FRY IT! Slice into rounds, roll in water then corn meal, fry in veg oil, season with salt and pepper. YUM!!

I would have bet big money you were from the south! LOVE fried squash!!!

 

[hsembrick]

Slice it up, half some cherry tomatoes and place in a baking dish. Add butter, lots of butter and sprinkle it all with lemon pepper. Cover and place in a 350 oven for about 30 mins!!! Yummy!!!!

 

[Justsyd2]

Thinly slice squash and white onions, sauté in Olive Oil until almost done (4-6 mins), then add chopped garlic and Italian Seasoning for the last couple of minutes.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

We often saute our squash in evoo with onions and garlic and sometimes top with parmesan cheese. However, I also highly recommend grilling squash (brushed with a little evoo) or using it in Paula Deen's squash casserole recipe (available on foodnetwork site).

I wouldn't worry about the bumpiness, since it shouldn't affect the taste once it is cooked.

 

[ShiPooOwner]

I microwave it. Just punch a few holes with a fork in the skin. Place it on a microwavable plate to collect a bit of the "sap" and when it's done, scoop out the seeds. Delicious! Serve with butter and/or a little brown sugar.

 

[lovesmurfs]

You don't need to peel it. Most varieties of crookneck squash are bumpy without being overripe.

Slice and sautee in olive oil with seasoning and whatever other veggies you want. You can also slice and grill it. Or dice and include in a salad. I'll even cut my squash into spears and it it raw.

I've also grated and used it in place of zucchini in breads, cakes and muffins.

 

[Purseval]

They sell squash pickles at our local farmer's market. We usually cook ours on the grill but I'm going to try pickling some this season.

 

[ilovejack02]

I put mine in a baking dish, drizzle with a bit of olive oil, parmasan cheese , cracked black pepper and sea salt. cook maybe 10 mins at the most at 400.

 

[pixiewings71]

My Mom used to do fried squash, I never really like it but I love it sauteed with some garlic, onion and other veggies. I just spray my pan with Pam, add some freeze dried or fresh chopped garlic and then add whatever veggies sound good......super easy and so good.

 

[summersalt]

I would have bet big money you were from the south! LOVE fried squash!!!

Yep, me too! Fried squash and green maters. Now, that's some good eatin'.

 

[sydneysmom]

I put mine in a baking dish, drizzle with a bit of olive oil, parmasan cheese , cracked black pepper and sea salt. cook maybe 10 mins at the most at 400.

I make the same thing !! It's really good. Only difference though, I leave off the olive oil and just spray the squash w/ butter Pam. Also, I mix some melted butter, panko breadcrumbs and parmesan and sprinkle on the top...then bake till browned. YUMMY!!!!

 

[momto2inKC]

FRY IT! Slice into rounds, roll in water then corn meal, fry in veg oil, season with salt and pepper. YUM!!

This is my favorite way to cook it! We also mix it with potatoes, mushrooms and whatever other veggies we get and cook it in a foil pack on the grill, so good!

 

[brekin67]

Love to fry squash with bacon and onions.

 

[mhsjax]

Love to fry squash with bacon and onions.

this is my favorite way.

 

[Praying Colonel]

We dice it and some onion, sweat it in bacon grease then add a beaten egg and a handful of corn meal. Cook until the corn meal is brown.

I also slice lengthwise, brush with olive oil and grill about 2 minutes per side.

 

[jacksmom]

We love fried squash! But, I also slice it, slice a sweet onion, add some butter, s&p and put it in an aluminum foil pack and put it on the grill! So easy, but soooo good!