Squash season seemed to be in full swing this last week at the Dover market where I intern. I get the most excited about squash season because they are so versatile in what they can be used for. With squash you get to be creative! I found my favorite squash this past week at the market, a patty pan squash. This squash is a bit unknown compared to others because I don’t believe they are easily found in a supermarket, at least I’ve never been successful in finding them year-round. During the summer I always get excited when I see them pop up at the farmers markets. The main reason I love these? Mostly just because of their fun shape and color. They are fat and a bit of a jagged, round shape with a beautiful bright yellow color. I really enjoy getting creative with
these because you can use their odd shape to your advantage. But don’t shy away from their shape. The beauty of the patty pan is that they taste just the same as a summer squash or zucchini would, they just offer you more cooking options with their round shape.
I have made some great meals with patty pans in the past. My favorite thing to do with them is to keep it simple and just slice them up and roast them with some other veggies on a sheet pan in the oven. This makes the perfect side to any dinner or lunch. I have also used them like you would use eggplant for an eggplant parmesan recipe. All you have to do is slice them about a quarter to a half inch thick so that the slices will come out the long way in circular rounds. Then dip them in milk and then into a breadcrumb mix and set them on a sprayed sheet pan. You then top them with a layer of first marinara sauce and then cheese. Throw them in the oven for about 10 minutes or until you can tell they are tender through the middle and then enjoy! These can make for a delicious vegetarian meal!
Patty pans are such a fun summer vegetable and what you can do with them is endless. I looked up some more recipes before writing this article and even found on Pinterest someone used them sliced as the base for a personal pizza. That may have to be the next recipe I try with these! I hope you decide to get creative with this veggie and seek them out at your next farmers market trip! I found mine at Wake Robin farm at the Dover Farmers Market and I am never disappointed with anything I buy there, it’s all delicious!