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  Summer Squash, and the Livin’ is Easy!
by Alice Osborne
Zucchini is technically also a summer squash, but in season, you should try to branch out and sample some of the other types of thin-skinned squash. Summer squash are much more delicate than the winter types, so make sure that they are still firm and mostly free of blemishes when you buy them - you mostly eat them unpeeled when they're steamed, fried, or added to soups and salads.
Here are a few terrific recipes to get you started on this taste adventure:
SUMMER SQUASH SOUP WITH BASIL
 2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/4 pounds yellow crookneck or pattypan squash, roughly chopped
1 large onion, chopped
6 cups Summer Vegetable Stock
1/2 cup julienned basil
1 1/2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 1/2 tablespoons flour
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Juice of 1 lemon
Sour cream or plain yogurt as an accompaniment
Heat the oil in a large saucepan or stockpot, add zucchini and onion. Saute for 5 minutes or until onions are translucent and zucchini is crisp tender. Then add stock, bring to a boil, reduce heat and partially cover and cook for 25 minutes. Add basil during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Mix the butter and flour together into a paste. Remove 1 cup of simmering stock and whisk in butter mixture until smooth. Add back into soup, stir until thickened. Remove soup from heat to a blender and puree until smooth. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Add lemon juice and serve with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt.
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SUMMER SQUASH FRITTERS
 1/2 cup olive oil, plus 3/4 cup, for frying
1 pound summer squash, peeled and quartered
1 large onion, chopped fine
3 tablespoons grated Kasseri,
2 tablespoons butter, melted
4 cups panko or bread crumbs
2 eggs
2 scallions, sliced thin
1 teaspoon finely chopped thyme
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon butter, for frying
In a large saute pan, heat 1/2 cup olive oil on medium high heat. Sweat the squash and the onion together until very soft.
In a food processor, puree the squash mixture. Drain well to get out extra moisture. Put in a bowl with cheese, butter, bread crumbs, eggs, scallions, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Let it stand for 1 hour, refrigerated.
Roll into about 2-inch balls. Lightly dredge in the flour and fry in the remaining olive oil and butter until golden brown.
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LOW CARB SUMMER SQUASH SALSA
 2 tablespoons canola oil
1 cup zucchini, small diced
1 cup yellow squash, small diced
1/2 cup yellow bell pepper, small diced
1/4 cup red bell pepper, small diced
1/4 cup sugar substitute (recommended: Splenda)
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup cantaloupe, small diced
Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add all ingredients, except cantaloupe, and cook for 2 minutes, or until just tender. Remove from heat, drain, and spread out on a plate. Refrigerate quickly without a cover to stop the cooking. When cooled, mix in cantaloupe, and cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Serve as an accompaniment to spicy dishes, chicken, fish, and more.
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TEX-MEX SUMMER SQUASH CASSEROLE
Chiles and cheese turn mild summer squash into a zesty, satisfying casserole. The jalapenos make this dish quite hot; if you prefer a milder version, use a second can of diced green chiles instead.
 2 1/4 pounds summer squash, quartered lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise (about 10 cups)
2/3 cup finely chopped yellow onion
1 4-ounce can chopped green chiles
1 4-1/2-ounce can chopped jalapenos (about 1/2 cup), drained
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
2 1/4 cups grated extra-sharp Cheddar cheese (about 7 ounces), divided
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup mild salsa
4 scallions, thinly sliced, for garnish
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion for garnish
Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Combine squash, onion, chiles, jalapenos, salt and 3/4 cup cheese in a large bowl. Sprinkle with flour; toss to coat. Spread the mixture in the prepared baking dish and cover with foil.
Bake the casserole until it is bubbling and the squash is tender, 35 to 45 minutes. Spoon salsa over the casserole and sprinkle with the remaining 1 1/2 cups cheese. Bake, uncovered, until golden and heated through, 20 to 30 minutes. Sprinkle with scallions and red onion.
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(Information Courtesy Food Network)
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