Zucchini and Squash Recipes

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Summer is the time of year when you can find a plethora of different zucchini and squash recipes like; zucchini bisque, sautéed zucchini and carrots, and grilled summer squash pizza.

Both squash and zucchini can be eaten raw or cooked. They can be chopped up for salads, stir fries or as the main ingredient in soups or pasta dishes. Squash can also be baked in the oven to make delicious dishes such as pumpkin pie, vegetable tian or roasted acorn squash.

FAQ’s

Summer Squash

When we say summer squash, what do we mean? Zucchini/courgette is one of the most common types of summer squash; right up there with straightneck yellow squash, but there are many more varieties to choose from like crookneck, scallop, patty pan, and more!

Summer squash are typically in season from June to September and can be stored for up to 4 months if properly stored in a cool (between 50 and 55 degrees), dry place with good air circulation. It is often used in salads due to its edible skin and delicate flavor that pairs well with other ingredients like tomatoes, peppers, and onions.

Summer Squash Recipes

Zucchini and yellow squash can be prepared on the grill, sautéed in a pan, stuffed, baked, or fried. Zucchini is also incorporated into many dishes zucchini bread, muffins, soups, and soufflés.

• Sautéed Zucchini, Squash and Onions (far right image)
• Grilled Summer Squash Pizza
• Easy Sautéed Zucchini Ribbons
• Zucchini Bisque (2nd image)
• Fried Zucchini
• Zucchini Lasagna – with ricotta cheese, ground beef and Italian sausage.
• Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
• Sautéed Zucchini and Carrots (3rd image)
• Baked Parmesan Zucchini Bites
• Sautéed Zucchini and Tomatoes
• Calabacitas – Easy zucchini con queso
• Zucchini Carbonara
• Vegetable Tian
• Italian Stuffed Zucchini Boats (1st image)
• Cod and Zucchini Noodles
• Zucchini Shrimp Scampi
• Roasted Vegetable Couscous
• Zucchini Fritters with Pine Nut Sauce

Winter Squash

What about winter squash? This is a type of squash that is typically harvested in the fall after the first frost. They are available from early fall into late spring, and can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months. Winter squash varieties include butternut, acorn, spaghetti, hubbard, delicata, and pumpkin.

Winter squash varieties have a harder skin than summer squash, and are usually steamed, baked, boiled or roasted.

Winter Squash Recipes

Butternut Squash

Butternut squash grows on a vine and has a sweet, nutty taste similar to pumpkin. The skin is a tan-yellow color with an orange, fleshy pulp. When ripe the orange color will continue to deepen and the flesh will become sweeter and richer.

• Instant Pot Butternut Squash and Apple Soup (3rd image)
• Butternut Squash and Sage Pizza (far right image)
• Instant Pot Curried Butternut Squash Soup
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Squash with Cranberries (1st image)
• Simple Pot Roast with Carrots and Butternut Squash
• Moroccan Butternut Squash Soup
• Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto with Crispy Sage
• Air Fryer Butternut Squash Halves

Acorn Squash

Also know as pepper squash or Des Moines squash is considered a winter squash, although it belongs to the same species as summer squash. It has deep ridges running from top to bottom, and the flesh inside is yellow-orange.

The flavor has been described as nutty, almost sweet, and mild. Acorn squash is typically baked, but it can also be steamed or sautéed.

• Roasted Acorn Squash (2nd image)
• Wild Rice Stuffed Acorn Squash

Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti squash is a type of winter squash known for its mild, slightly sweet flavor and stringy texture, which resembles spaghetti when cooked. Its flesh pulls away in ribbons or strands, making it a popular low-carb substitute for traditional pasta.

• Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash with Broccoli

Pumpkin

Pumpkins are round with slightly ribbed, deep yellow to orange colored skin on the outside. If you have ever carved a Jack-o’-Lantern, you know that the thick shell contains the seeds and pulp. They generally weight 6 to 18 pounds, but larger varieties can reach over 75 pounds.

Most parts of the pumpkin are edible including the flowers, seeds (usually roasted), and the flesh mashed to be used for pies and soups.

• Pumpkin Spice Bars
• Dairy-free Pumpkin Pie
• Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles
• Pumpkintini (pumpkin pie martini)
• Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
• Pumpkin Waffles
• Creamy Pumpkin Soup
• Dairy-free Pumpkin Spice Dip
• Pumpkin Spice Latte
• Instant Pot Pumpkin Pie Steel Cut Oatmeal
• Pumpkintini Cocktail Cake (pumpkin pie martini in cake form)

Recommended Tools for preparing Squash

You can see the rest of my favorite kitchen tools and gadgets here in my Amazon Affiliate Page. I earn a small commission when you purchase through my links, at no cost to you, so I can keep bringing you more delicious recipes!

• Vegetable Slicer / Spiralizer
• Multi-Blade Mandoline
• Cutting Board & Chefs Knife
• Vegetable Peeler
• Sauté Pans
• Wooden Turner
• Baking Sheet
• Mixing Bowl
• Measuring Cups

What zucchini and squash recipes should I try next? Do you have any favorites? Let me know in the comments if you do!