Cooking Patty Pan Squash: A Beginner's Guide

Patty pan squash is a summer squash with a similar flavour to zucchini, but a bit sweeter. It can be cooked in a variety of ways, including roasting, sautéing, grilling, or air frying. When preparing the squash, it is recommended to cut off the ends and slice the squash into halves, quarters, or wedges, depending on its size. The cooking method can then be chosen based on personal preference and the desired level of hands-on attention, with sautéing requiring the most attention and roasting being a more hands-off approach.

Sautéing: heat oil in a pan, add squash, and cook until browned

Sautéing is a great way to cook patty pan squash, and it's the fastest method, too. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

First, prepare your patty pan squash by cutting it into similar-sized pieces. Aim for pieces around 1-inch in size, but they don't have to be perfect, as the shape of the squash can vary.

Next, heat some oil in a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Extra-virgin olive oil is a good choice, as it helps the squash brown and soften as it cooks. You'll need enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan generously.

Once the oil is hot, add the squash pieces to the pan. Make sure they are in a single layer and have some space around them. Season the squash with salt and pepper, or other seasonings of your choice. You can also add sliced onions at this stage if you like.

Let the squash cook undisturbed for a few minutes until the bottoms are golden brown. Then, flip the pieces over and cook the other side until golden. This should take around 3-5 minutes per side. Resist the urge to stir or move the squash too much, as you want them to develop a nice brown colour.

Once the squash is tender and browned, it's ready to serve. You can squeeze some lemon juice over the squash and sprinkle on some fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or mint. Patty pan squash also goes well with grated Parmesan cheese.

Enjoy your sautéed patty pan squash as a side dish or add it to salads, frittatas, or pasta dishes.

Roasting: toss with oil, salt, and pepper, then cook on a hot baking sheet

Roasting is a great way to cook patty pan squash. It is a hands-off method that does not require any special equipment, and it is the easiest way to cook a large batch. However, it is not ideal for hot days as it requires the use of an oven.

To roast patty pan squash, first, preheat your oven to 425-450°F. While the oven is heating up, prepare the squash by trimming the tops and bottoms and cutting them into wedges or bite-sized pieces. Aim for pieces that are roughly the same size so that they cook at the same rate.

Next, in a medium to large bowl, toss the squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or crushed red pepper flakes to taste. Once the squash is evenly coated, transfer it to a baking sheet and arrange the pieces in a single layer, cut-side down.

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast the squash for 15-20 minutes, or until it is tender and golden brown. For more even browning, you can flip the squash halfway through the cooking time.

Once the squash is done, remove it from the oven and serve immediately. You can also prepare a herbed oil by mixing olive oil with fresh herbs, lemon zest, and salt, and toss the roasted squash with it before serving.

Leftover roasted patty pan squash can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Grilling: toss with oil and seasoning, then cook on a hot, covered grill

Grilling patty pan squash is a great way to cook this summer vegetable without heating up your kitchen. It's also a quick and simple method that works best with larger squash, so they don't fall through the grates.

To grill patty pan squash, start by cutting the squash into slices or wedges. For slices, aim for a thickness of about 1/2" to 3/4". If you're cutting wedges, trim a little off the top and bottom of the squash to remove any bits of stem and to create a flat edge. Then, halve the squash and cut each half into wedges, aiming for pieces that are roughly the same size.

Once your squash is cut, brush both sides of the slices or wedges with olive oil and sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper. Place the squash on a hot, covered grill and cook for about 3 minutes per side, until grill marks appear and the squash is tender.

You can also toss the squash with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper before placing it on the grill. This adds a delicious savoury note to the squash.

Patty pan squash has a mild, sweet flavour and a tender texture when cooked. It's a very versatile vegetable that goes well with a variety of dishes, such as grilled chicken, shrimp skewers, or burgers.

Air frying: toss with oil and seasoning, then cook in the air fryer basket

Patty pan squash is a versatile summer vegetable that can be cooked in a variety of ways, including air frying. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare and cook patty pan squash in an air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Patty Pan Squash

Start by selecting small to medium-sized squash, as they have the best flavour and texture. Cut off the ends of the squash, then slice them into halves or quarters. If you have larger squash, you may need to cut them into wedges. Aim for pieces that are roughly the same size to ensure even cooking.

Step 2: Season the Squash

Place the cut squash into a medium to large bowl. Drizzle olive oil over the squash, then add your desired seasonings. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or add some optional seasonings like garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or crushed red pepper flakes. Toss the squash in the bowl until they are evenly coated with oil and seasonings.

Step 3: Cook in the Air Fryer

Place the seasoned squash into the air fryer basket in a single layer, with the cut side facing down. If your air fryer basket is not large enough, you may need to cook the squash in batches. Set the air fryer temperature to between 375-400°F and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring or shaking the basket halfway through. The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer, so keep an eye on the squash to avoid overcooking.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Once the squash is crispy and golden, remove it from the air fryer and serve. You can enjoy it as a side dish with grilled chicken, shrimp skewers, or a variety of other main courses. Patty pan squash is a delicious and healthy option that your family is sure to love!

Schnitzelling: slice, coat in seasoned cornmeal, and fry

Schnitzelling is a great way to cook patty pan squash. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Slicing

First, trim the stems from the patty pan squash and slice the squash into uniform pieces. You can cut smaller squash in half, and larger squash into quarters or wedges. Aim for pieces that are roughly the same size so that they cook evenly.

Step 2: Coating

Next, prepare a cornmeal coating for the squash slices. Season the cornmeal with salt and pepper, and any other desired herbs and spices. You can use a variety of seasonings, such as garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or crushed red pepper flakes. Place the cornmeal mixture in a shallow bowl or plate.

Step 3: Frying

Heat a generous amount of oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or another frying oil of your choice. Once the oil is hot, carefully dip the sliced squash into the cornmeal coating, making sure to coat all sides. Then, place the coated squash slices into the hot oil. Fry the squash in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry the squash slices for about 3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy.

Step 4: Serving

Once the squash is cooked to your liking, remove it from the pan and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil. Serve the schnitzelled patty pan squash as a side dish or appetizer, pairing it with a dipping sauce such as lemon butter sauce, garlic aioli, or marinara. Enjoy!

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