Hi everyone! This post is part of a series with Love Local Food, highlighting recipes and tips for some of the awesome ingredients in their weekly local food boxes! They are a new company here in the Comox Valley with a passion for supporting local businesses. They offer no contact order and delivery to connect you with some of the amazing food vendors we have in our area.
Today we’re talking about patty pan squash! First of all, what is a patty pan squash, anyway? It is a type of summer squash that is small with scalloped edges – it is often described as looking a bit like a UFO. It comes in different colours as well (green, white or yellow). Patty pan squash is a good source of vitamin C, magnesium, and anti-inflammatory carotenoids like beta-carotene – definitely nutritious, tasty, and also kind of uniquely adorable.
So, what to do with them? As a general guide, you can treat patty pan squash as similar to zucchini. The skin and seeds are edible (and in fact, a lot of the nutrients are concentrated in the skins). Small patty pan squash will have pretty thin and tender skin, so no peeling required, making them fairly easy to prepare! Here are some recipes to get you started:
- Stuffed Patty Pan Squash (this recipe can be customized and modified to use up different ingredients you may have on hand)
- Patty Pan Squash Panzanella Salad (a great way to use up any old bread you have!)
- Roasted Patty Pan Squash
- Summer Squash and Basil Pasta
- Grilled Patty Pan Squash
- Sauteed Patty Pan Squash
Have you tried patty pan squash before? What is your fave way to eat them? Let me know!