Eight Ways to Cook and Serve Summer Squash

What do I do with all my summer squash?
Do you peel summer squash before cooking?
Can summer squash be eaten uncooked?
What is the best way to preserve summer squash?
Can you eat the skin on summer squash?
How do you prepare squash for eating?
Do you need to remove seeds from yellow squash?
Will undercooked squash make you sick?
How do you know if summer squash is bad?
Can I eat yellow squash with bumps?

What do I do with all my summer squash?

So if you're looking for some creative ways to put your squash harvest to good use this summer, consider five of our favorite ideas:

Fry Squash Into Fritters or Croquettes.
Freeze Squash for Winter. ...
Slice Squash Into Noodles.
Make Squash Kid-Friendly.
Diversify Your Squash Recipe Repertoire.

Do you peel summer squash before cooking?

After a gentle scrub under the faucet, the squash is ready to cut—there's no need to peel it. Besides contributing color and nutrients, the skin helps the vegetable hold together better when cooked. You can also harvest (and eat) squash blossoms.

Can summer squash be eaten uncooked?

For most summer squash, everything's edible: the skin, seeds and flesh. ... They're quick-cookers—and can even be eaten raw (as opposed to winter squashes like butternut or acorn squash, which must be cooked a long time).

What is the best way to preserve summer squash?

We recommend preserving summer squash or zucchini by pickling or freezing. Summer squash is good for you. It is low in calories and many varieties provide vitamin C, potassium and, if the skin is eaten, beta carotene. Preserve summer squash by freezing, pickle them for canning or dry them.

Can you eat the skin on summer squash?

Summer Squash

Zucchini, yellow squash, and crookneck squash all have completely edible skin and seeds. Pattypan squash generally has edible skin, but the larger the squash the tougher the skin is.

How do you prepare squash for eating?

Chop off the top and bottom of the squash. Peel or slice away the skin. Chop through the 'neck' of the squash to leave two pieces and slice both in half lengthways. Use an ice cream scoop to scrape out the seeds.

Do you need to remove seeds from yellow squash?

For yellow squash, no need to remove the skin or seeds. Cut into disks and then halve or quarter to make bite sized.

Will undercooked squash make you sick?

Squash can contain a toxic compound called cucurbitacin E., which can cause cucurbit poisoning, also known as toxic squash syndrome (not to be confused with toxic shock syndrome) in people who ingest it. ... Although it can be quite serious, cucurbit poisoning is also very rare.

How do you know if summer squash is bad?

A bad smell, mold or a thick, whitish, liquid substance are sure signs that the squash belongs in the garbage, not your belly. If the zucchini is shriveled or has soft spots, if the skin is wrinkling or if you cut into it and it's mushy inside, it's also time to toss it.

Can I eat yellow squash with bumps?

Pattypan squash generally has edible skin, but the larger the squash the tougher the skin is. ... So, the bumps on the skin of your yellow squash are natural. Pick the squash when young and don't leave them to become old and 'woody'. They are ready to eat when you can still make an indent in the flesh with your nail.