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Eat Smart, Move More at Farmers Markets: Yellow Crookneck Squash (Summer Squash)

ID

HNFE-314-3NP

Authors as Published

Melissa Chase, Consumer Food Safety Program Manager, Food Science and Technology, Virginia Tech; Austin Brooks, Project Associate, Family Nutrition Program, Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech; Renee Boyer, Associate Professor, Extension Specialist, Food Science and Technology, Virginia Tech; Carlin Rafie, Assistant Professor, Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech; Anne-Carter Carrington, Central District Coordinator, FNEP/SCNEP

Key Points

  • High in vitamin C. Low in calories and sodium. Contains carotenoids that may be good for health.
  • For all squash varieties, choose glossy, small to medium-sized squash that are heavy for
  • their size.
  • Want your kids to reach for a healthy snack? Make sure fruits and veggies are in reach.
  • Squash — fun to say and fun to eat!
  • Fruits and vegetables that will be eaten raw should be kept separate from other foods, such as raw meat, poultry, or seafood.

Lemony Summer Squash

Number of servings: 4

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon canola oil
1 pound summer squash, sliced 1/4-inch thick
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 lemon, juiced

Directions:

  1. Heat oil in a nonstick skillet on medium heat.
  2. Add squash and cook, stirring gently until tender, about 4 minutes.
  3. Stir in garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
  4. Pour lemon juice over the squash and heat through.

Per serving: 34 calories; 1 g fat (trace saturated fat); 1 g protein; 6 g carbohydrate; 2 g dietary fiber; 0 mg cholesterol; 2 mg sod

Squash Pie

Number of servings: 4

Ingredients:

Nonstick cooking spray
4 squash, sliced
1 tomato, chopped
1 small onion, chopped fine
4 ounces low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded
1 egg
1 cup low-fat (1%) milk
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Spray a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
  2. Add squash, tomato, and onion to baking dish and mix.
  3. Sprinkle cheese on top of vegetables.
  4. In a separate bowl, combine egg, milk, and pepper and beat with fork until well mixed.
  5. Pour milk mixture over vegetables.
  6. Bake for 30 minutes until set and golden brown. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Per serving: 138 calories; 4 g fat (2 g saturated fat); 13 g protein; 13 g carbohydrate; 3 g dietary fiber; 61 mg cholesterol; 231 mg sodium.

Quick Tips

  • Store squash in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator for four to five days.
  • Wash thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking. Do not wash until ready to use.
  • Add diced squash to pasta sauce or lasagna.
  • Try summer squash as a pasta substitute. Use thin strips in place of lasagna noodles or julienned strips in baked spaghetti recipes.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) This material was partially funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP – and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). SNAP is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA/NIFA).


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Publication Date

July 24, 2020