Crooknecks and zucchini and pattypans, oh my!
The summer squash family is full of interesting characters.
Here are tips for how to pick, store, and cook summer squash!
Lori Rice
All squashes belong to the family of flowering plants calledCucurbitaceae.
When is Summer Squash in Season?
As our colloquial naming suggests, youll find summer squash dominating your local farmers markets from June to August.
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In some warmer places, like California, they show up in May.
Outside of that timeframe, you have the grocery store varieties that are flown in from far away.
If theyre remotely slack or rubbery, move on.
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Varieties of Summer Squash
Squash are native to Mexico, and were domesticated about 10,000 years ago.
Pattypans and Crooknecks are elders.
They are some of the New World cultivars that started the squash-breeding frenzy back in the 16th century.
Pattypan squash.Lori Rice
Stick to the small side with these (I never get anything bigger than my palm).
People are often perplexed by how to cut pattypans.
When theyre very small, just halve them.
Yellow crookneck.
The bigger ones can be cut into wedges of whatever thickness you like.
Their flesh is firm, with a slightly buttery flavor.
These golden heirlooms can sometimes be a little hard to find.
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Yellow Squash
Yellow squash are basically crooknecks without all the dramatic features.
Their necks are shorter and wider and have only a subtle curve.
Their skin can be completely smooth or a little bumpy, and their flesh is a little less dense.
Yellow squash.Lori Rice
They have a lovely mild buttery flavor.
The name is the diminutive plural ofzucca, the Italian word for squash.
The majority of the group is green, though there are some new breeds of orangey-yellow zucchini.
Zucchini.Lori Rice
All are cylindrical and straight.
They have firm flesh, and a faint note of Acorn squash.
Globe Squashes
Small pumpkin-shaped squashes that come in many sizes and colors.
Grey zucchini.Lori Rice
Globe squashes have dense flesh and very few seeds.
Their shape and density make them especially great for stuffing.
Lemon Squashes
Bright happy yellow, smooth shiny skin, shaped just like lemons!
Zephyr.Lori Rice
These squashes are delightful.
Like globe squashes, theyre also good for stuffing.
These cylindrical squashes are slightly bulbous at the base and taper toward the stem.
Globe squash.Lori Rice
Their skin is smooth, pale green with streaky white flecks, and a little shiny.
While their skin is delicate and easily scratched, the flesh is dense inside.
Theyre crisp and sweet, and when eaten raw, have hints of melon and cucumber.
Costata Romanesco.Lori Rice
Their dense flesh makes them another good candidate for stuffed squash recipes.
These are buttery with a pronounced nutty flavor, and very succulent when cooked.
Squash Blossoms
We cant forget the flowers!
Squash blossoms.Lori Rice
These beauties are mild in flavor, but big on visual appeal.
They are extremely delicate, and wilt fast.
Its best not to store them, but if you must, keep them in the fridge.
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If youre lucky, theyll keep for up to two full days.
As they get larger, the seeds become bitter, and the flesh unpleasantly fibrous.
Stick to fruits that are small or average-sized.
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Avoid anything thats extra-large compared to the rest of its kind on the stand.
Summer squashes are sensitive!
Be mindful when youre transporting them home.
Elise Bauer
Their skin is so thin and delicate, and very easily pierced.
How to Store Summer Squash
When storing summer squash, keep them cool and dry.
Store them in the crisper drawer and wash them only when youre ready to use them.
Cambrea Bakes
Water droplets, like punctures in the skin, promote decay.
Summer squashes, especially the peak-season local types, arent the best keepers.
Store in the fridge for up to 5 days (max!)
but aim for less.
They get soft and flabby pretty quickly after theyre harvested.
Mild and soft, summer squashes are easy to handle and can be used in seemingly endless ways.
The one rule Im strict about:Do not peel summer squash.
Their nutrition lives mainly in the skin, so keep in on.
Plus, its so thin and soft that theres really no need to remove it.
Certain varieties are best for certain shapes, but theres a lot of flexibility.
Their mild flavor makes them extremely interchangeable.
The main consideration to make when swapping summer squashes is the shape.
Want to have zucchini noodles on hand and ready to go whenever you want?
Turn them into noodles, however you do, and store in an airtight container.
confirm to keep them dry!
and theyll last in the fridge for 5-7 days.
In that case, follow these instructions:
