24 Zucchini and Squash Recipes That Are Perfect for Summer
Warmer months call for lighter dishes.
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Zucchini, which is also called summer squash, is typically in season from May to August. While you may be able to find it year–round depending on where you live, the green veggie is especially tasty during the summer. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a roundup of nearly two dozen zucchini and squash recipes that are perfect for the warmer months. Healthy, zucchini-studded dishes to enjoy this summer include No-Bake Summer Veggie Lasagna, a Summer Squash Farro Bowl, and more. Keep reading for more zucchini and squash dishes to whip up from June to August, and beyond!
Related: 16 Zucchini Recipes to Add More Green to Your Plate
Farro and Squash Salad
Victor Protasio
This easy and elegant grain and grilled squash salad is a seasonal stunner. It makes great use of summer's bounty—yellow squash, zucchini, and fresh basil—and looks impressive on the dinner table. You’ll also find nutty farro, of course, as well as Parmesan cheese and Marcona almonds all coated in a white balsamic-based dressing. The result is a balanced dish that’s worth making more than once.
Veggie Patties
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Concerned about food waste? Whip up these healthy veggie patties. You can use whatever you have on hand, such as summer squash or zucchini, broccoli or cauliflower, parsley or celery leaves, and chickpea flour or all-purpose flour. Since summer is on the horizon, we suggest using shredded zucchini or summer squash, along with broccoli for some extra heartiness. Serve with ranch so you can dip to your heart’s content!
No-Bake Summer Veggie Lasagna
Since there’s no meat in this veggie-forward lasagna, you don’t need to worry about baking it. Instead, it’s packed to the brim with tasty summer ingredients like cherry tomatoes and chopped zucchini. Silky ricotta and a sauce infused with fresh oregano and garlic add flavor and texture, while boiled lasagna sheets hold everything together. Top with freshly grated Parmesan and enjoy!
Grilled Turkey-Zucchini Burgers
Fire up the grill to cook these healthy burgers made of zucchini, lean ground turkey, and an egg. Garlic powder and cumin help flavor the burgers from within, while a honey mustard-and-mayo topping adds irresistible creaminess and even more flavor. Serve with sweet-potato chips and you're good to go.
Vegan Paella With Summer Squash
Paella is typically packed with meat and shellfish, but this vegan version relies on summer squash instead. You’ll also find leeks, roasted red peppers, and artichoke hearts, along with plenty of paprika-scented rice.
Roasted Veggie Calzones
Fred Hardy
Eggplant acts as a meat-like stuffing for these veggie-packed calzones, which also feature zucchini, red bell pepper, and red onion. The roasted and caramelized veggies join forces with creamy ricotta and a sprinkle of mozzarella for a gooey meal or snack. Serve with a side of zesty marinara sauce so you can dip your calzones over and over again.
Zucchini Tzatziki Slaw
This simple slaw swaps in crisp cabbage and raw zucchini instead of the chopped cucumber that's typical of tzatziki. Top with pepitas for some much-needed texture, and serve this slaw at your next summer barbecue.
Summer Squash With Scallions, Chile, and Parsley
If you've never eaten a raw summer squash salad, you're in for a real treat. This one packs a double whammy: It tastes delicious and there's no need to turn on the stove or cook. Tossing the summer squash and zucchini with salt helps them soften and absorb every bit of flavor. Top with a chopped almond dressing for a light and flavorful finish to this healthy, satisfying dish.
Summer Squash Farro Bowl
Caitlin Bensel
The undisputed stars of this bowl are summertime’s zucchini or yellow squash. However, if you can’t get your hands on either ingredient, try making this delicious grain bowl with another sturdy gourd. Pumpkin or kabocha squash pairs well with the other ingredients in this vegetarian meal, including crispy chickpeas, nutty farro, and creamy avocado.
Grilled Honeynut Squash Salad
Christopher Testani
Sweet, honeynut squash is the main event in this salad, which is perfect for late summer and early fall. Inside, you’ll also find Napa cabbage, radicchio, pepitas, and mint, and don’t even get us started on the punchy miso-and-spicy brown mustard dressing. In addition to topping the salad, the dressing also coats the squash and cabbage before they hit the grill, infusing them with even more flavor.
Related: 19 Common Types of Squash—From Acorn to Zucchini
Summer Nachos
For a lighter take on nachos that certainly doesn’t skimp on flavor, give this vegetarian recipe a whirl. Here, tortilla chips are topped with paprika-spiked corn for pops of smoky sweetness, tender bits of sautéed zucchini, and a creamy avocado-yogurt topping you’ll want to smear on everything. Serve these nachos family-style for an easy summer dinner, or make them as an appetizer for a larger crowd.
Grilled Mediterranean Salad
This isn’t your mom’s pasta salad. In this refreshing take you’ll find delicious twists of campanelle pasta, tangy balsamic dressing, crispy cubes of halloumi, grilled zucchini, bell peppers, and red onion, and plenty of fragrant fresh oregano. Since you’ll need to fire up the grill for this dish, it makes sense to serve it at a BBQ or summer cookout.
Udon With Seared Beef & Zucchini
Greg DuPree
This 30-minute dinner pairs thick Japanese udon noodles with thin slices of seared beef, zucchini, and shiitake mushrooms. The real standout, however, is a savory sauce made with soy sauce, a red Fresno chile, and fresh ginger that coats each element of the dish.
Spicy Summer Squash Stir-Fry
This veggie-filled meal takes just 20 minutes to make, and is packed with zucchini and summer squash, eggplant, jalapeño slices, and unsalted peanuts. A spicy cornstarch-soy sauce mixture bathes the crisp vegetables, which are served over a mound of fluffy white rice. If you don't love spice, just leave out the jalapeño.
Superfood Lentil Salad
As you may have guessed, this salad is packed with protein-rich superfoods. It pairs sunflower seeds and lentils with zucchini, greens, and golden raisins. Even the dressing—a versatile, fresh, sunflower seed vinaigrette—is loaded with nutrients. It’s refreshing in the summer, but can be enjoyed at any point during the year.
Grilled Skirt Steak With Squash Ratatouille
Though this meal looks very impressive, it’s surprisingly easy to make and bound to impress. Start by seasoning the steak with salt and pepper and grilling it. Then, while the meat rests, grill some squash, zucchini, eggplant, and onion. Once the veggies are tender, remove them from the grill, chop them up, and season them with parsley and vinegar. That’s it!
Zucchini Pesto Pasta
The backbone of the hearty pesto sauce used here is shredded zucchini and roasted, salted cashews. You’ll also find more typical pesto ingredients such as basil, Parmesan, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt. Obviously the bright green condiment pairs well with pasta, but we encourage you to try it on homemade pizza or stirred into a vegetable soup as well.
Spicy Grilled Chicken With Shaved Zucchini Salad
You can’t go wrong with this flavorful, healthy chicken meal. Here, bold Aleppo pepper-rubbed chicken joins forces with a lemony-marinated zucchini salad, and everything gets drizzled with a zesty garlic and herb dressing. If you can’t find Aleppo pepper, use chili flakes instead.
Summer's End Ratatouille
Say so long to summer with this colorful ratatouille made with zucchini as well as bell peppers, eggplant, and tomato. While it might seem like a lot of work to individually sauté each vegetable, we promise it’s worth it. The result is a massive batch of vegetables that keeps for days. Serve alongside grilled meat, chicken, or fish for a delicious summer meal.
Zucchini and Bean Salad With Bulgur
Believe it or not, nothing on this plate requires much preparation or cooking, which is ideal on a hot summer day. The bulgur simply steams in boiling water, so—after making a quick vinaigrette and chopping your zucchini, shallot, and dill—just toss and serve. Salted, roasted almonds lend crunch, and crumbled goat cheese adds a creamy tang.
Related: How to Cook Zucchini 8 Different Ways—Including Grilled, Fried, and More
Zucchini Frittata With Parmesan
Zucchini for breakfast? It’s possible with this recipe, which pairs the veggie with eggs, onion, and plenty of grated Parmesan cheese. Garnish with parsley and serve with toast and fruit for a complete meal and a delicious start to your day. Pro tip: This frittata also works well for lunch or dinner—just serve it with a simple salad or roasted mushrooms, depending on what you’re in the mood for.
Zucchini and Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
There are many ways to prepare sweet potatoes, but in this recipe using the microwave saves cooking time, meaning you can have this fiber-packed meal on the table in just 20 minutes. While the potato is cooking, the zucchini and black bean filling comes together on the stove.
Rosemary Chicken With Zucchini
The best part about this versatile dish is that you can put it together and cook it, or you can store the ingredients in the freezer for up to three months. And the cooking couldn't be easier—just toss everything in a sheet pan and bake, turning the chicken breasts once.
Ravioli With Sautéed Zucchini
This recipe is as easy as it is delicious, as it calls for ready-made ravioli. All you'll have to do is add sliced zucchini with some garlic and parmesan. It's a great way to use leftover zucchini or add some flavor and veggies to leftover pasta. Better yet: You can heat it up in just a few minutes.
For more Real Simple news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on Real Simple.
