Simple Summer Squash

I found a recipe similar to this in a magazine years ago when I was in college and still trying to figure out the "cooking for myself" thing. I remember the recipe being very forgiving for a novice cook, quite fast, and easy on my college budget. I don't remember where I got the recipe and the oil-spotted clipping I loved so much has long-since gone to the great compost pile in the sky, but I have mostly committed it to memory. Over the years I've tinkered around with what I remember and I'm excited to share with you my current version.

This recipe cooks the squash for a short time over high heat, almost like stir frying. The mix of crisp-tender squash, sweet corn, and melty cheese is just so satisfying, plus it cooks up really quickly and requires very little time over the hot stove. Since I do not have air conditioning, this is extremely important to me! I often serve this along side baked fish or a grilled cheese sandwich. Although the recipe feeds 4-6 as a side, I've also been known to eat half a batch for dinner and the other half for lunch.

This recipe is in heavy rotation at my place during the summer when summer squash is cheap in grocery stores and when friends and neighbors are unloading their zucchini surplus in a near panic. I'm happy to give you an excuse NOT to make another loaf of zucchini bread.

I put zucchini in a cookie...and I liked it.

I put zucchini in a cookie...and I liked it. Better yet, no one knew! Let me first say, I don't think you should need to hide all things remotely healthful to get picky folks (kids, friends, spouses, whomever is picky in your life) to enjoy them. I do however like to use greens as a tool to lighten things up, add fiber, and cut down on unhealthy fats (especially in baking).

Zucchini "Risotto" or Creamy Zucchini Rice

I love Risotto, it is a super creamy rice dish but the catch is there is no cream! The starch in the rice breaks down and creates a "creamy" consistence. The typical Risotto uses Arborio rice, but I typical don't have that rice as a staple in my pantry and I loath having to run to the grocery store for one random ingredient this dish was born using plain boring long grain white rice. It is creamy delish and loaded with veggies. Its an amazing side dish.