Homegrown Summer Squash Recipes

Hector Sanchez

There are a few harbingers of fall we look forward to every year: pre-season football, a drop in the humidity, and a bonanza of summer squash to play with in the kitchen. Every year, it seems, we end up with piles and piles of summer squash and somehow no idea what to do with it. This year, we’ve collected our favorite squash recipes so that no squash goes uneaten. From yellow summer squash to spaghetti squash, these squash recipes are sure to inspire you to get to the farmer’s market (or your garden!), and start making the most of the late summer bounty. From beautiful ribbons of pasta with discs of zucchini and fresh mint, to an amazingly wonderful spaghetti squash spoon bread, there are more than enough squash recipes here to keep you working your way through those piles of late summer squash.

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Greek Pork Chops with Squash and Potatoes

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Greek Pork Chops with Squash and Potatoes

A zesty marinade livens up this pork-and-veggie one sheet pan supper. Flavorful roasted squash, zucchini, and red potatoes make the perfect bed to serve pork loin chops. Pay attention when purchasing the pork chops, and opt for frenched pork rib chops – chops taken from the rib bone, and cut so that the rib bone is exposed and the meat is removed from the bone. In addition to making the cut’s presentation more appealing, frenching adds flavor. When preparing the dish, be sure to allow enough time for the pork chop to marinate. We recommend chilling the marinating pork for at least 8 hours to ensure it soaks up every last bit of lemon, garlic, and oregano flavor from the Greek marinade.

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Zucchini-Mint Pasta

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Zucchini-Mint Pasta

Take advantage of summer's bounty! Whether they're in soups, casseroles, or pasta, these summer squash recipes are sure to please.

From the Kitchen of Marian Cooper Cairns, Birmingham, AL. "Add cooked shrimp for a heartier main, or white beans for a vegetarian option."

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Ashley Christensen's Buttermilk Spoonbread with Spaghetti Squash

Robbie Caponetto

Recipe: Buttermilk Spoonbread with Spaghetti Squash

Inspired by her grandmother's cornbread dressing and her mother's resourcefulness, Christensen added spaghetti squash to cornbread to create this custardy side. "My mom could make a meal out of an empty pantry, and that inspires me to look at ingredients in new ways."

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Summer Squash Casserole

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Recipe: Summer Squash Casserole

Summer squash casserole is the most versatile Southern side dish. It pairs well with everything from fried chicken at a summertime Sunday lunch to roast turkey at Thanksgiving.

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Zucchini, Squash, and Corn Casserole

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Zucchini, Squash, and Corn Casserole

Soft, white breadcrumbs double as a feather-light binder and golden crumb topping. To make them, pulse torn slices of day-old sandwich bread in the food processor.

Step-by-Step Video: Summer Squash Casserole

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Zucchini-and-Squash Pickles

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Recipe: Zucchini-and-Squash Pickles

Ribbons of zucchini and squash make up these colorful Zucchini-and-Squash Pickles. These pickles are as beautiful as they are delicious.

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Zucchini Fritters with Herb-and-Mozzerella Salad

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Zucchini Fritters with Herb-and-Mozzerella Salad

Squeezing the zucchini in paper towels helps remove excess water for a crisp, latke-like crust.

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Roasted Vegetable Gnocchi with Spinach-Herb Pesto

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Roasted Vegetable Gnocchi with Spinach-Herb Pesto

Dumpling-like gnocchi [NYOH-kee] are sold near the dried pastas. A teaspoon of mint adds a refreshing flavor to Spinach-Herb Pesto.

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Squash Casserole

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Squash Casserole

Often squash casseroles are topped with crackers, but this recipe has a delicious topping made with breadcrumbs and crispy fried onions. When our test kitchen was thinking about traditional Thanksgiving sides they asked why we should limit French fried onions to green bean casserole? That was a delicious question, so now we love them on this cheesy squash casserole, too. It is filled with all the usual deliciousness, including squash, sweet onions, Cheddar cheese, and mayonnaise. This rich center is covered in a fantastic topping, resulting in steamy bites of melted cheese, squash, and crisp fried onion in every mouthful.

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Grilled Squash and Salsa Verde

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Grilled Squash and Salsa Verde

Pepitas, goat cheese, and homemade Salsa Verde jazz up this simple veggie.

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Squash Frittata

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Squash Frittata

This squash frittata is perfect for vegetarians. Looking for a seasonal brunch item? This fresh zucchini and fingerling potato frittata makes a stunning presentation when plated, and is a perfect start to a crisp fall day. Fresh harvest flavors of parmesan cheese and pepper abounds in every bite, and a dash of heavy cream gives it a smooth and decadent texture. Although yellow squash works in place of zucchini, make sure that you don’t leave the green squash out entirely – it gives color while the yellow blends in with the rich egg frittata. Garnish with chopped fresh chives, torn parsley, and basil for a magazine-worthy plate.

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Salmon Tostadas with Zucchini-Radish Slaw

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Salmon Tostadas with Zucchini-Radish Slaw

This crunchy plateful comes together in 35 minutes. Serve with avocado and lime wedges. Customize the toppings based on your taste for a unique spin that's all your own. We love the addition of fresh jalapeño peppers, but if you're not a fan of spice, stick to the radishes for a cool crunch.

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Yellow Squash and Curry Stew

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Yellow Squash and Curry Stew

Have a windfall of yellow squash? This makes good use of summer's bounty. Roasting the squash in the oven concentrates flavor; curry powder gives it a sweet and fragrant kick.

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Zucchini-Mushroom "Linguine"

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Zucchini-Mushroom "Linguine"

Cutting zucchini into thin strips is easy and makes a fresh substitute for pasta. Add thinly sliced ribbons of salami for a meatier meal.

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Fried Zucchini Straws

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Fried Zucchini Straws

One bite of these Fried Zucchini Straws and you'll be hooked.

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Chilled Zucchini Soup

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chilled Zucchini Soup

This refreshing soup is full of fresh flavors. Make ahead and store up to 2 days.

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Chocolate Zucchini Cakes

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck

Recipe: Chocolate Zucchini Cakes

Spiked with a triple hit of chocolate (we're talking intensely rich sour cream-fudge frosting here), these are definitely not your garden-variety zucchini cakes.

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Corn-and-Zucchini Queso Chowder

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Corn-and-Zucchini Queso Chowder

Try this filling chowder for your next dinner party. Colorful corn and zucchini, crispy bacon, and creamy cheese make for a great presentation and a delicious meal.

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Lightened Squash Casserole

Photo: Becky-Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Lightened Squash Casserole

Take advantage of this golden veggie in a lightened version of squash casserole. The combo of cornflakes and French fried onions adds an irresistible crunch without adding too many calories.

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Sautéed Baby Squash and Leeks

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Sautéed Baby Squash and Leeks

Baby squash and leeks are sauteed and combined with feta cheese for a quick and healthy side dish.

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Sautéed Squash and Tomatoes

Photo: John Kernick

Recipe: Sautéed Squash and Tomatoes

Combine two kinds of summer squash—yellow squash and zucchini—with tomatoes, onion, fresh herbs and bacon for a savory side dish.

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Judy's Pickled Squash

Photo: Cedric Angeles

Recipe: Judy's Pickled Squash

Recipe from Sara Foster, chef and author of Sara Foster's Southern Kitchen. "An overabundance of fast-growing yellow squash inspired my sister, Judy, to make these unusually gratifying sweet squash pickles. They can elevate anything from a simple dish of beans and rice to a fried egg sandwich. You can use any kind of summer squash, from sundrops to pattypans to zucchini.

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Chicken-and-Squash Casserole

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Chicken-and-Squash Casserole

Get all the satisfaction of a hearty casserole with none of the messy cleanup. Preparing it in a slow cooker will ensure an even more tender bite.

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Fresh Squash Chips

Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Fresh Squash Chips

Use boiled zucchini and squash slices as nutritious dippers in place of higher fat chips and crackers. We like to dip them in cool, flavorful Fiesta Dip.

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Lemon-Poppy Seed Zucchini Bread

Photo: Erin Adams

Recipe: Lemon-Poppy Seed Zucchini Bread

The tender, fine-crumbed texture and bright lemon citrus flavor offer a refreshing change from traditional spiced zucchini breads.

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Zucchini-Potato Soup

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Zucchini-Potato Soup

Inpspired by the classic potato-and-leek vichyssoise (vish-ee-SWAHZ), we added zucchini and gave this recipe a delicious Southern twist with a sprinkling of crisp, crumbled bacon.

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Pimiento-Stuffed Summer Squash

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Pimiento-Stuffed Summer Squash

Here's a cute idea: Hollow out baby pattypan squash and fill with goat pimiento cheese. Can't find pattypans? Pipe the filling on thinly sliced squash rounds, or stuff it into squash blossoms.

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Homegrown Summer Squash Recipes

1 of 27

Greek Pork Chops with Squash and Potatoes

1 of 27

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Zucchini-Mint Pasta

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Ashley Christensen's Buttermilk Spoonbread with Spaghetti Squash

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Summer Squash Casserole

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Zucchini, Squash, and Corn Casserole

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Zucchini-and-Squash Pickles

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Zucchini Fritters with Herb-and-Mozzerella Salad

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Roasted Vegetable Gnocchi with Spinach-Herb Pesto

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Squash Casserole

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Grilled Squash and Salsa Verde

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Squash Frittata

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Salmon Tostadas with Zucchini-Radish Slaw

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Yellow Squash and Curry Stew

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Zucchini-Mushroom "Linguine"

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Fried Zucchini Straws

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Chilled Zucchini Soup

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Chocolate Zucchini Cakes

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Corn-and-Zucchini Queso Chowder

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Lightened Squash Casserole

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Sautéed Baby Squash and Leeks

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Sautéed Squash and Tomatoes

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Judy's Pickled Squash

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Chicken-and-Squash Casserole

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Fresh Squash Chips

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Lemon-Poppy Seed Zucchini Bread

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Zucchini-Potato Soup