If you are one of our “Basket of the Week” customers you will find one of these in your order this week. I wanted to share a little information about this lovely squash and a simple recipe for you to enjoy.
Patty pan or scallop squash is a tender summer squash, like zucchini or yellow squash. The scalloped flying saucer shape makes them a bit of a novelty and a little difficult to figure out how to slice, but they cook and eat much like any other summer squash. Kids are sometimes more tempted to try them, because of their fun shape. You can begin to eat them when they are only a couple of inches in diameter, making them perfect for individual serving.
Sliced patty pans can be baked with Parmesan to make a casserole. Lightly grease a small casserole dish with unsalted butter, then layer the sliced patty pans in the bottom of the casserole so that the rounds overlap slightly. Dot the slices with a bit of butter. Sprinkle a half-cup of freshly grated Parmesan over the slices. (It’s tempting to add more, but you’ll want to avoid smothering the mild flavor of the squash.) Add salt and pepper to taste, and then place the casserole in a 350 F oven for 15 minutes, or until the Parmesan is melted and slightly browned.
