Steaming Yellow Squash: How Long Before It's Perfect?

Yellow squash is a versatile vegetable that can be cooked in a variety of ways, including steaming. Steaming yellow squash is a simple and quick cooking method that helps retain its flavour and nutrient content. It can be steamed whole, sliced, or cut into pieces, and the cooking time varies depending on the size and thickness of the squash.

To steam yellow squash, first, rinse the squash thoroughly and cut off both ends. Then, use a mandoline or a knife to slice the squash into uniform pieces, preferably 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick coins or rounds. Next, fill a saucepan with 1 to 2 inches of water and place a steamer basket or a heatproof colander inside. Bring the water to a boil and place the squash in the steamer basket, making sure the water level is below the basket. Cover the saucepan and steam the squash for 3 to 5 minutes or until tender. Finally, season the steamed squash with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil before serving.

Steaming yellow squash: a simple cooking method

Yellow squash is a versatile vegetable that can be cooked in a variety of ways, including roasting, grilling, sautéing, steaming, boiling, and air frying. Steaming yellow squash is a simple and quick cooking method that helps retain the vegetable's flavour and nutrient content. Here is a step-by-step guide to steaming yellow squash:

Step 1: Prepare the Squash

Start by rinsing the yellow squash thoroughly to remove any dirt and grit. You can use a vegetable brush to ensure it is clean. Cut off both ends of the squash, but leave the peel on as it contains most of the flavour and nutrients. You can steam the squash whole, or cut it into your desired size and shape. Uniform pieces are ideal for even cooking. Common cuts include slices or rounds, quarters, and chunks. If the squash is small, you can leave it whole.

Step 2: Prepare the Steamer

Place a steamer basket or a large, heatproof colander inside a large saucepan. Add 1 to 2 inches of water to the saucepan, ensuring that the water level is just below the bottom of the steamer basket. Bring the water to a boil.

Step 3: Steam the Squash

Place the squash in the steamer basket or colander. Cover the saucepan and adjust the burner to medium-high heat to maintain a gentle boil. Steam the squash until it is tender and can be easily pierced with a fork or the tip of a knife. The cooking time will depend on the size and cut of the squash. Thin slices or small chunks typically steam in 4 to 5 minutes, while a whole squash may take 10 to 12 minutes.

Step 4: Serve or Use in Recipes

Once the squash is tender, remove the steamer basket from the saucepan and let the squash drain. You can serve the steamed yellow squash hot as a simple side dish. It goes well with various main courses and can be added to salads, pasta, rice, or soups. If you don't plan to serve it immediately, store the steamed squash in the refrigerator, and it will stay fresh for three to four days.

How to prepare the squash

Preparing yellow squash is simple and can be done in a few easy steps.

First, rinse the squash thoroughly, using a vegetable brush to remove any dirt and grit. Next, cut off both ends of the squash, but remember to keep the peel on, as this contains most of the flavour and nutrients.

Now, cut the squash into your desired size. You can slice it into rounds, quarters, or chunks, but make sure the pieces are fairly uniform so that they cook evenly. If the squash is small, you can leave it whole.

If you want to add extra flavour, you can sprinkle the cut squash with salt and let it rest for around 30 minutes. This will help draw out excess moisture and ensure the squash isn't soggy when cooked.

Finally, you can steam the squash by placing it in a steamer basket or heatproof colander over a saucepan of boiling water. Make sure the water level is below the bottom of the basket. Cover the saucepan and steam the squash until it is tender and can be easily pierced with a fork or knife. This should take around 4-5 minutes for thin slices or small chunks, and 10-12 minutes for a whole squash.

Once cooked, remove the steamer basket and drain the squash before serving hot or incorporating it into recipes such as squash casserole.

How to steam the squash

Steaming yellow squash is a simple and quick way to cook the vegetable while preserving its flavour and nutrients. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam yellow squash:

Step 1: Prepare the Squash

Start by rinsing the yellow squash thoroughly with water, using a vegetable brush to remove any dirt and grit. Cut off both ends of the squash, but do not remove the peel as it contains most of the flavour and nutrients. You can leave the squash whole or cut it into your desired sizes. For steaming, it is recommended to slice the squash into uniform pieces, such as rounds, quarters, or chunks, so that it cooks evenly.

Step 2: Prepare the Steamer

Place a steamer basket or a large, heatproof colander inside a large saucepan. Add 1 to 2 inches of water to the saucepan, ensuring that the water level is just below the bottom of the steamer basket.

Step 3: Steam the Squash

Bring the water to a boil. Place the prepared squash into the steamer basket, cover the saucepan, and turn the burner to medium-high heat. This will ensure that the water continues to boil gently. Steam the squash until it is tender and can be easily pierced with a fork or the tip of a knife. The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of the squash pieces. Thin slices or small chunks will generally steam in 4 to 5 minutes, while a whole squash may take 10 to 12 minutes.

Step 4: Serve or Store

Once the squash is cooked to your desired tenderness, remove the steamer basket from the saucepan and let the squash drain. You can then serve the steamed yellow squash hot as a side dish or incorporate it into other recipes such as squash casserole. If you don't plan to serve it immediately, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to three to four days.

How long to steam the squash for

Steaming is a great way to cook yellow squash as it preserves the flavour and nutrients of the vegetable. The time it takes to steam yellow squash depends on how you cut it.

If you are steaming slices of yellow squash, you should steam them for 3-5 minutes or until tender. If you are steaming chunks of yellow squash, these will also take 3-5 minutes to cook. If you are steaming a whole yellow squash, this will take longer, around 10-12 minutes.

To steam yellow squash, first rinse the vegetable thoroughly, using a brush to remove any dirt and grit. Cut off both ends of the squash but do not remove the peel as this contains most of the flavour and nutrients. Cut the squash into your desired size and shape, making sure the pieces are fairly uniform so they cook evenly.

Place 1-2 inches of water in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Put the squash in a steamer basket or a large, heatproof colander and place the basket or colander in the saucepan, making sure the water is below the bottom of the basket or colander. Cover the saucepan and turn the burner to medium-high so the water continues to boil gently. Steam the squash until you can easily pierce it with a fork or the tip of a knife. Remove the steamer basket and drain the squash before serving.

Seasoning and serving the squash

Yellow squash is a versatile dish that can be served as a side or incorporated into recipes such as casseroles, soups, stir-fries, and pasta. It can be seasoned and served in a variety of ways, including:

Salt and pepper

A simple seasoning of salt and pepper can bring out the natural flavours of the squash.

Herbs

Fresh herbs such as basil, thyme, or parsley can be added for colour and flavour.

Vegan Parmesan

A vegan Parmesan topping can be made with parsley, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and vegan Parmesan. This adds a rich and cheesy flavour to the dish.

Grilled steak seasoning

A buttery steakhouse blend seasoning can be added to the squash for a savoury boost of flavour.

Crispy panko topping

A crispy panko topping can be made by tossing the cooked squash with seasoned panko breadcrumbs and a little oil or cooking spray to help them stick. This adds a crunchy texture to the dish.

Flaked Parmesan cheese

A generous amount of flaked Parmesan cheese can be sprinkled on top of the cooked squash for a quick and easy way to add extra flavour.

Feta or goat cheese

Adding crumbled feta or goat cheese can give the dish a creamy and tangy flavour.

Bacon or pancetta

Crispy bacon or pancetta bits can be added to infuse the squash with a smoky, savoury taste.

Sautéed onions

Sautéed onions can be added alongside the yellow squash for added depth and sweetness.

Sour cream or Greek yoghurt

A dollop of sour cream or Greek yoghurt can be added for creaminess and a hint of tang.

Grated Parmesan

Grated Parmesan cheese can be sprinkled on top of the squash for added flavour and texture.

Olive oil

Olive oil can be drizzled over the squash before roasting or grilling, or used as a base for sautéing, to prevent sticking and enhance browning.

Butter

Butter can be used instead of oil for sautéing or grilling the squash, adding a rich flavour.

Garlic

Minced garlic can be added to the squash while cooking, or used as a base for sautéing, to enhance the flavour.

Lemon juice

Lemon juice can be added to the squash after cooking, or used as a base for sautéing, to brighten the flavour.

Spices

Various spices can be added to the squash for extra flavour, such as Italian seasoning, garlic powder, seasoned salt, chilli powder, paprika, or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.

Frequently asked questions