Tillie Doyle
Patty pan squash, also known as scallop squash, is a type of zucchini. It is a small, adorable, disk-shaped squash with scalloped edges and comes in shades of green and yellow. Patty pan squash can be cooked in a variety of ways, including grilling, sautéing, and roasting. To prepare patty pans for sautéing, cut them into 1-inch pieces, heat olive oil in a large skillet, add garlic, and then cook the squash for 10 to 15 minutes until tender and lightly browned. For roasting, cut the squash into wedges, toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast in a hot oven until browned. Patty pans can also be stuffed with ingredients like bacon, rice, and vegetables.
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right patty pans
Patty pan squash is a variety of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo) and a relative of zucchini and yellow summer squash. They are small, flat, and disc-shaped with scalloped edges, and come in a variety of colours including yellow, light green, dark green, orange, white, and multicoloured.
When choosing the right patty pans, it is important to consider what cooking method you plan to use. If you plan to sauté or roast them, choose medium-sized squash (about the size of a fist) that are firm, blemish-free, and have shiny skin. For roasting, you can cut the squash into wedges to get uniform shapes and sizes. You can also add seasonings like olive oil, salt, and pepper, and other spices like garlic, thyme, or lemon juice.
If you plan to grill your patty pans, choose larger ones as they are less likely to fall through the grill grates. You can also grill them with a vinaigrette made from hot chorizo.
Patty pans can also be pickled. To do this, place the patty pan pieces in a colander, sprinkle them with salt, and let them stand for 30 minutes. Then, rinse and pat dry before cooking in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Patty pans can be harvested when they are as small as a ping pong ball or as large as a softball. They are generally available from May through August and can be found at farmers' markets.
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Trimming and cutting the patty pans
Trimming and cutting patty pans is a crucial step in preparing this summer squash for cooking. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you trim and cut patty pans efficiently:
Start by selecting fresh, medium-sized patty pans that are firm, blemish-free, and have shiny skin. These characteristics indicate optimal ripeness and flavour. Wash the patty pans under running water to remove any dirt or residue. Use a vegetable brush to gently scrub the surface if necessary. Before trimming, ensure you have a sharp knife, such as a chef's knife or a paring knife, to make clean cuts.
For the trimming process, begin by cutting off the top and bottom ends of each patty pan. The amount you trim off will depend on the size of the patty pan and your desired size of wedges. As a guide, aim for about 1-inch pieces or wedges. Once trimmed, slice the patty pan in half straight down the middle. This will create a stable base for further cutting.
Now, you can cut each half into wedges or slices. For wedges, cut each half into 3/4-inch-wide pieces. This size allows for even cooking and an appealing presentation. Alternatively, you can create slices by cutting the halves crosswise and then slicing them into 1-inch pieces. This method is ideal for sautéing, as it increases the surface area for browning.
Finally, if you are preparing stuffed patty pans, you will need to scoop out the centres after trimming and halving. Use a melon baller or a spoon to carefully remove the centres, creating a cavity for stuffing. You can mince the reserved squash pieces and add them to your stuffing mixture.
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Sautéing the patty pans
Sautéing patty pans is a great way to prepare this summer squash, and it can be done in under 20 minutes. Patty pans have a mild, sweet flavour and are a great side dish to a summer meal.
To start, you'll want to pick medium-sized squash that are firm, blemish-free, and have shiny skin. Wash the squash and trim off the ends. Cut them into 1-inch pieces, or 3/4-inch wedges. You can slice the squash crosswise and then cut the slices up.
Next, heat a generous amount of olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat until shimmering. Add some garlic to the oil and cook for 30-60 seconds until fragrant. Then, add the squash and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and lightly browned.
You can season the squash with salt and pepper, and add lemon juice, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes for a bright, fresh flavour. If you like, you can also add Parmesan cheese just before removing the squash from the heat.
Once the squash is cooked to your liking, remove it from the heat and serve. Enjoy your sautéed patty pans!
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Roasting the patty pans
Roasting patty pans is a simple and easy way to prepare this summer squash. To start, you will need to trim and cut the patty pans into wedges. Begin by trimming the tops and bottoms of the squash, then halve them. Next, cut each half into 3/4-inch-wide wedges.
Once you have prepared the squash, heat a generous amount of olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Arrange the squash in a single layer, cut-side down, ensuring they are well coated in oil. Season with salt and pepper, or other desired spices. Sear the squash until golden brown, which should take around 3-5 minutes.
After the squash are browned on one side, flip them over and sear the other cut side until crisp and tender, which will take another 3 minutes or so. Preheat your oven to 450ºF and place a baking sheet inside to heat up. Transfer the seared squash onto the hot baking sheet and roast until the bottoms are browned, around 15-20 minutes.
Roasted patty pans are a delicious and versatile side dish, perfect for summer meals. They have a mild, sweet flavour and go well with something spicy or highly seasoned.
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Serving the patty pans
Patty pans are a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. They can be grilled, sautéed, or roasted, and pair well with highly spiced or seasoned dishes. They can be served as a side dish or a main course.
One way to serve patty pans is to stuff them. You can preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and boil an inch of water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the patty pans, cover, and cook for about 10 minutes, or until they can be easily pierced with a fork. Then, drain the water and slice off the top stem. Use a melon baller to scoop out the centres, and combine the scooped-out portions with other ingredients of your choice. Finally, stuff the mixture back into the patty pans and bake until cooked through.
Another option is to slice the patty pans into wedges and roast them. To do this, preheat your oven to 450ºF. Trim the tops and bottoms of the patty pans, halve them, and then cut each half into wedges. Toss the wedges with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and spread them out on a preheated baking sheet. Roast until the bottoms are browned and crisp, which should take about 15 to 20 minutes.
Patty pans can also be sautéed. Cut the patty pans into 1-inch chunks, heat olive oil in a large skillet, and add the patty pans along with seasonings such as garlic, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, and Parmesan cheese. Cook until tender and lightly browned, stirring occasionally, which should take about 10 to 15 minutes.
Patty pans can be served as a side dish with fish, veggie burgers, or other lean protein sources. They also go well with pasta dishes, such as pesto pizza or Margherita pizza. For a vegan option, simply omit the Parmesan cheese and add a sprinkle of sea salt to taste.
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Frequently asked questions
Patty pans, also known as scallop squash, are a type of zucchini. They are very versatile and can be grilled, sautéed, or roasted. Sautéing is the fastest method but requires the most attention. Roasting is the easiest method.
First, trim the tops and bottoms of the patty pans and halve them. Then, cut each half into wedges. Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the patty pans and season with salt and pepper. Sear until golden brown, about 3-5 minutes. Flip the patty pans and sear the other side for about 3 minutes.
Patty pans have a mild, sweet flavor and pair well with highly spiced or seasoned dishes. Popular seasonings include garlic, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, and parmesan cheese. Fresh herbs such as basil, parsley, thyme, and mint are also used.
